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UNITED STATES OF AMEKICA. 



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THE MEANS 




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OF A 



RELIGIOUS REVIVAL. 



BY 



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JOHN HOWARD HTNTON, M. A, 



AWAKE, AWAKE J PUT ON THY STRENGTH^ O ZfOMl" 

i^aiah lii. 1. 



WITH AN INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 



BOSTONr;Hgg^^ 

LINCOLN AND EDMANDS, 

1831. 



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DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS- TO WIT : 

District Clerk'^s Office. 

Be it remxmdered, that on the 1st day of April A. D. 1831, 
in the fifty-fifth year of the Independence of the United States 
of^merica, Lincoln & Edmands, of the said district, have de- 
posited in this oflSce the title of a book, the right whereof they 
claim as proprietors, in the words folJowing, to wit : 

* The Means of a Religious Revival. By John Howard Hinton, 
M. A. 'Awake, awake j put on thy strength, O Zion!» Isaiah 
lii. 1. With an Introductory Essay.' 

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, 
entitled * An act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing 
the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and pro- 
prietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned ;* 
and also to an act, entitled * An act supplementary to an act, 
entitled, * An act for the encouragement of learning by securing 
the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and propri- 
etors of such copies during the times therein mentioned ;" and 
extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, 
and etchmg historical and other prints.' 

JNO. W. DAVIS, 

Clerk of the District of Massachusetts. 



ADVERTISEiMENT. 

As the great subject of religious revivals is attracting an increas- 
ed attention, in the various sections of the United States, the 
publishers hope to promote the interests of vital piety, by pre- 
senting, in a convenient form for circulation, the excellent 
work of Mr Hinton on the * Means of a Religious Revival.' It is 
peculiarly adapted to excite to awakened activity, every individual 
of the Christian Church. To the work is prefixed An Intro- 
ductory Essay, written by an American Minister, desirous to aid 
the interesting object of the publication. 



VTAITT AND DOW, PRtNTEHS. 



INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 



The progress of rel^ion does not, like that of 
the sciences, depend on the discovery of new 
principles. God has given to us in his word a 
complete revelntion of religion. It is from the sa- 
cred oracles, and from them only, that we are to 
derive all our religious knowledge. And these 
oracles were as complete at the filling up of the 
present canon as they now are, or as they will 
be at any future period. 

There is nothing like this in any of the scien 
ces. There is no system, in which is developed 
every principle, and to which we are to confine 
ourselves in every inquiry into the laws of nature, 
requiring of us simply to multiply our observa- 
tions of facts to illustrate truths already known. 

Every scientific treatise is esteemed valuable — 
mostly in proportion to what in it is original — 
to the discoveries it gives to the world of impor- 
tant, ultimate facts. 






4 INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 

Not SO in religion. There God has given us 
the principles of which if we are ignorant, it is 
because we have not searched his word. We 
would not be misapprehended in this statement> 
as if we thought there were no field for research, 
no claim upon the intellect in a revealed religion. 
Nothing can be farther than this from our views. 

But while it is true, if there were no revela- 
tion, to which we might resort with confidence, 
we should be more in the dark upon the subject 
of religion than we are in the sciences of nature, 
as sin has introduced a confusion into the mor- 
al, which it has not into the natural world — ^yet 
with the revelation which has been given us, the 
certainty of morals stands altogether pre-emi- 
nent. 

What intellect has to do with the progress of 
rehgion is confined, first, to the study of the re- 
vealed word. Nor will it find hei^e a field of re- 
search either limited or barren. The extent of 
this revelation, together with the character of its 
truths, affords an ample task for the stoutest and 
most untiring mind. While all that is necessary 
to salvation is simple and plain — so that a child 
may understand and be made to feel the power 
of its renovating truths — there is much also that 
is sublime, much that is incomprehensible. 



INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 5 

To relish the one, and to know the exact point at 
which the human understanding has its limit iii 
the other — requires a mental cultivation and ex- 
pansion to which we are not prepared to set 
bounds. And the degree of this cultivation on 
the part of the friends of God and religion — oth- 
er things being equal, — might be taken perhaps 
as the measure of the progress of morals and re- 
ligion in the world. 

Besides this, there are many collateral studies 
with that of the Bible — such as antiquity, es- 
pecially that of the Jews, which are now throw- 
ing, and probably will continue to throw increas- 
ing light upon the sacred text. Many portions 
of revelation, of which we may now be utterly 
ignorant, or but imperfectly undei*stand, will yet 
be made clear, and thus be brought to bear up- 
on the consciences of men. Those, united with 
what was before understood, will be an accumu- 
lation of religious power. 

Again : Not only may the researches of the hu^ 
man understanding throw new light upon what 
God has revealed in his word, but it may, in the 
next place, advance beyond its present state of 
ability to select, arrange and combine truth, so 
as to affect the heart more powerfully than it now 
does. 

1* 



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INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 

In Other words, the character of preachhig and 
of religious addresses te the consciences of men, 
whether in public or private, may be changed for 
the better, compared with what they now are. 
There has been a great change within a few years 
in this respect, and the fruits of ministerial labor 
show that this change has been favorable to re- 
ligion. We need not say that this change is great- 
er simplicity, and a style of address more prac- 
tical in its character. 

Nor are we by any means prepared to say, that 
all has been done, on this subject, that can or will 
be. If any man w ould be great in the kingdom 
of Christ, he must not labor to discover new 
doctrines which may convert the soul, but he 
must task his intellect in so combining and illus- 
trating the simple principles which God has al- 
ready revealed, as to make them bear with new 
force upon the heart and conscience. Genius 
must here be seen in making men feel greatly, 
for not doing what they have known for years 
they should have done, and for doing, on the oth- 
er hand, what they have often done without com- 
punction, though they were well aware of God's 
displeasure against the acts. The great object is, 
the power to make men feel what the same truths 
have not yet been able to do, the ability to 
make all things appear new. 



INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 7 

When we say, therefore, * the sacred oracles ' 
are complete, it is meant that God will neither 
reveal nor will men discover, unaided, new laws — 
new doctrines — new motives of conduct — or 
prospects of the world to come. No new revela- 
tion will be found to exist between God and 
man, whereby the obligations of the latter shall 
not be included in the well known command- 
ment. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all 
thy heart, might, mind and strength. No new 
relation shall be discovered to exist between men, 
as fellow men, and fellov/ pilgrims — ^where the 
mutual obligation shall not be the standing one, 
' Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyrelf.' 

The simple lav/ of gravitation was known as a 
fact, and to govern the material universe, before 
any thing like' a full developement was made of 
its relative influence upon the different spheres. 
Nor is it supposed that future inquiries will not 
throw new and important light upon the whole 
subject, though the simple law in any case before 
us may be perfectly understood as it ever will be. 

So the revealed principle binding on man as a 
rule of life, to love our neighbor as ourselves, may 
yet be seen to imply, and men may acknowledge 
their obligations to pursue a very diflferent course 
of conduct from what is now practised. 



3 



mi 



8 INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 

The very simple rule which we often see illus- 
trated in the intercourse of two individuals who 
deal justly, may be hereafter seen to reach us, 
and extend out, more than it now does, into all 
the variety of intercourse among communities and 
nations. New obligations may be discovered 
and felt, of which the world has little thought. 

And as the bare supposition of an increase of 
light on this subject must also imply an increased 
willingness to recognize and obey the laws which 
it shall disclose — (for surely the world will not 
labor to search out and increase obligations, which 
it has no disposition to discharge) — we can predict 
the advance of general righteousness in the world 
as surely as that of light. 

But we have no reason to expect, that there will 
arise any new prophet or inspired Psalmist or 
Apostle or preacher of righteouness. Our pre- 
sent Bible, is all the revelation, so far as we 
know, which God designs to make to this fallen 
world. With us, then, it is to the law and the tes- 
timony, that we are to have recourse. And he is 
wise who searches them, and them only, thinking 
to find the words of eternal hfe. 

Again : The Bible is not only a complete re- 
velation, but it is also sufficient. 

The holy scriptures are not only able to make 
him wise unto salvation who shall follow th© 



INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. \) 

precepts which they contain, but also, thorough- 
ly to furnish the servants of God, who are labor- 
ing to advance his cause among men, unto all 
good works. 

A tradesman may fail in business, iDCcause he 
could not foresee and calculate on the fluctuation 
of the market. The husbandman may be disap- 
pointed, when he enters the field to reap his har- 
vest, because he could not predict the unfruitful- 
ness of the season. The merchant may lose his 
ship at sea, because the tempest which wrecked 
it could not have been anticipated and escaped, 
or the rock on which it dashed had been hitherto 
undiscovered. 

But he that shall have gone from the cradle to 
the judgment seat of Christ, with a Bible in his 
hand — will not find a pardon or an extenuation of 
his sin on the ground of ignorance. 

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, 
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for cor- 
rection, for instruction in righteousness, that the 
man of God may be perfect, thoroughly fur- 
nished unto all good works. The proposition that 
a sufficient revelation has been given us, is only 
repeating the sentiment of the Apostle, whom we 
have just quoted, with one, yet by no means an 
important qualification. The Jewish scriptures 
which are here declared to be able to make the 



'-'sM^i 



10 INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 

man of God perfect, were not then a compkte re- 
velation. 

They, if believed, were sufficient to reclaim the 
heart to God, to save the soul ; but very impor- 
tant revelations were made afterwards. All that 
is new in what are called the New Testament 
writings, are an after revelation. They make the 
sacred oracles complete. 

It ought to be distinctly understood, however, 
that while the revelations of the New Testament 
are so important, that they are said to bring life 
and immortality to light — they are, nevertheless, 
in general, only a fuller development of what had 
already been suggested. The Psalmist says, 
* Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light 
unto my path.' At the coming of Christ and the 
opening of the new scheme of revelations, it was 
said, the ' day-spring from on high hath visited 
us — ^to give light to them that sit in darkness.' As 
the light of a full and unclouded sun rising upon 
the world is compared to the feeble light of a 
taper — so is the abundance of Gospel light and 
knowledge, compared with what was before en- 
joyed. 

This increase of light, however, has as much 
reference to its universality, to the greater num- 
ber of persons who walk by it, as to the increased 
benefit to any one individual. Those devout 



INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 11 

men of old who walked with God, seem to have 
had their light to themselves, shut up, most of it, 
-^ithin their own bosoms. Under the Gospel, the 
sun that has risen upon us, sheds his beams on 
all around, while at the same time it makes 
the path of each individual more luminous and 
safe. 

But the Old Testament, though incomplete, 
though an unfinished revelation, was neverthe- 
less, sufficient, if received with faith, to make 
wise unto salvation. ' The law of the Lord is 
perfect, converting the soul.' This was said as 
true of the Jewish Scriptures. What, then, ought 
to be considered to be the value of a complete re- 
velation, where, if there were not one new princi- 
ple or ultimate fact disclosed, the more perfect 
development and brilliancy of illustration, of 
what had been previously known as true, makes 
the comparison as the sun to a taper. If Enoch, 
Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, Isaiah, and 
Daniel, had sufficient divine knowledge to make 
them so perfect in personal piety as they were, 
and so thoroughly furnished to teach men the fear 
of the Lord — what manner of persons ought we 
to be, not only in all godly conversation, but al- 
so in the ability to persuade men to be reconciled 
to God, 



12 INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 

There is now more religious power in the 
world — for knowledge is power — than there was 
before the Gospel revelations were made. And, 
if we are not holier men than those ancient ser- 
vants of the Most High were, and if we do not 
accomplish more in carrying forward the cause of 
God in the world than they did, we are unfaith- 
ful, unprofitable servants. For he hath abounded 
toward us in all wisdom, having made known 
to us the mystery of his will, according to his 
good pleasure, which he hath purposed in him- 
self, that in the dispensation of the fulness of times, 
he might gather together in one, all things in 
Christ, both which are in heaven and which are 
on earth. 

ffe have a complete revelation ; and if it was 
suffitjient to convert and sanctify the soul before 
it was completed, much more then is it now. 
We ought, therefore, not only to make higher 
attainments in personal piety, but also, to exhib- 
it a greater measure of the spirit and power 
which characterized Elijah's ministry. 

Finally : The renovation of the heart does not 
depend so much on the amount of knowledge, 
as on the state of mind at the time of its recep- 
tion. 

Since truth is the great instrument which God 
has appointed to renew and sanctify the heart ; 



INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 13 

and as it has been stated, since no farther revela- 
tions are to be expected, the sacred oracles be- 
ing already complete ; it may be asked, Why 
are no more converted and saved ? And why are 
not those who are renewed, more perfect, more 
thoroughly sanctified ? Why are not christians 
holier men and women ? 

The difficidty is by no means in the small 
amount, or the feebleness of truth, either as to 
God's laws, or the method of salvation. The 
law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. 
The Gospel is emphaticall}'^ styled the wisdom 
and the power of God unto salvation. 

We not only have this declaration of the Scrip- 
tures in their own favor, but we also have facts 
before us for illustration. We have repeated in- 
stances of conversion on hearing the Gospel 
preached for the first time. The case of Diony- 
sius, a judge of the court of Areopagus, at 
Athens, is pertinent; and he heard but one dis- 
course, upon the falsehood and folly of idolatry, 
and he believed. The jailor seems to have been 
converted under the influence of what truth he 
received, while standing, for aught we know, 
with his sword yet unsheathed, w^hich he had 
drawn with the design of committing suicide; 
and he asked. Sirs, what must I do to be saved ? 
And they said, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus 
2 



14 INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 

Christ, and thoti sljalt be saved.' And they 
spake unto him the word of the Lord ; and he 
took them the same hour of the night, and wash- 
ed their stripes, and was baptized. 

There are repeated instances in heathen lands, 
where the labors of our missionaries have been 
crowned with sudden success. Where, without 
regard to age, a vcrj little knowledge of the 
way of salvation, has induced the mind to seek 
it; and a very little knowledge of the will of 
God, has subdued the mind to obedience. Now 
'Comi)are this with what we often see. Individu- 
als, from their childhood till old age, sit under 
Gospel light as intense as an unclouded noon- 
day sun, without any saving effect ; perhaps are 
less susceptible of a religious impression, are more 
sceptical, at the age of fifty, than they were at 
twenty-five. 

This want of saving effect can not be attribute I 
to the want of divine knowledge, or to the fee- 
bleness of truth, any more than a starving man 
could justly complain that food did not nourish 
liim, of which he refused to partake, though his 
table was loaded ever so bountifully. * The word 
preached does not profit them, not being mixed 
with faith in them that hear it.' 

Paul says to Timothy, speaking of the Holy 
iSct>iptU4'es, that they are able to make w ise unto 






INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 15 

salvation, through faith that is in Christ Jesus, 
We see, then, that whether complete or not, a 
sufficient revelation has been given us, if the 
inind only be disposed to receive it. Salvation 
— in a w ord, all that redeeming and purifying in- 
fluence v^^hich divine truth exerts, depends on 
faith. But here one may say, the strength of 
faith must depend on the amount of evidence. 
Jf the world have not believed, it must be be- 
cause God has not yet given them the reasons. 
Such, it will be readily acknowledged, is the 
law of the human mind on all other subjects; 
the more evidence, the stronger the conviction 
produced on any given mind. But not so in re- 
ligion. Belief requires evidence. But the state 
of the mind may be such as to disregard all evi- 
dence. It is indeed the fool that hath said in 
his heart, * there is no God.' But it does not 
mean the man who has not the natural power of 
discernment ; but one whose moral feelings have 
blinded the eyes of his understanding, and his 
folly is seen perhaps hi nothing but the fact, that 
he believes not. 

There are, on the other hand, men of very 
small capacities, who have not an intellectual 
grasp sufficient to comprehend any considerable 
portion of the evidences which God has given to 
the world, of his existence, attributes, govern- 



16 INTRODUCTORY ESSAY". 

ment, &c. ; but yet, who have such strong con- 
fidence in him ; have such a perception of spir- 
itual things, that no bribe, no temptation, per- 
haps not death itself, could bend their integrity, 
or wrest from them the hope of an eternal weight 
of glory in another world. 

Truth purifies the heart, only in connexion 
with faith ; and faith does not depend so much 
on the amount of evidence as on the disposition 
of the heart. It is in the power of any man to 
resist the counsel of God against himself, in the 
same way that he may starve himself to death, 
with his table loaded with the richest viands. 

The strength of our faith will depend on the 
strength of our love for the things revealed as 
the object of our belief. A mathematical de- 
monstration may produce equal or nearly equal 
conviction upon any two minds; but of the very 
same individuals, one may reject all evidence of 
a God, or be blind to every spiritual doctrine of 
his word, while the other with a hundredth part 
of the evidence, may believe to the saving of 
his soul. The conscience of one is shielded, 
and from it, the arrow rebounds, and falls pow- 
erless. The other is naked and open, and the 
arrow reaches and penetrates, and fastens, and 
converts. 



\ 



INTRODUCTORY ESiAY. 17 

An individual of small understanding may, by 
yielding to the force of what divine knowledge 
he has, have in the soul so much that is heaven- 
ly, as to enable him, like the philosopher in the 
use of general principle, to infer much as to 
what heaven is. Of two men, of two christians, 
the less intellectual may have views of heaven 
altogether more discriminating and controlling in 
their influence than the other, of a stronger 
mind, but more worldly, in whose heart has been 
shed abroad, less divine love. 

How strikingly manifest, then, must this be 
in those cases where the heart is yet enmity 
against God, not subject to his law. All wha 
consider this subject with candor, must be con- 
vinced that the reason why the truths of God's 
word have not savingly affected their hearts, (if 
in fact they have not,) is not owing to any de- 
ficiency in the revelation, as being incomplete, 
or insufficient ; but to a spirit of religious unbe- 
lief 

I can but imagine with what peculiar emo- 
tions and with what solicitude those holy men 
of old, who rejoiced in the divine light which 
shone upon their pathy and who died believing 
the promises, — if they are allowed to take cog- 
nizance of what mortals do — must watch our 
progress here on eiyth, astonished, not only at 
2^ 



18 INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 

the entire disbelief of many, but even at the fee- 
bleness of their faith, who do believe, and are 
striving to enter in at the strait gate. Could 
their voices but reach us, we should hear them 
saying, Brethren, beheve in the promises. 

With less knowledge, they have triumphed 
over sin and ignorance, and have entered their 
rest. With less evidence than we have, they 
have exercised faith, which enabled tiicm to 
live as strangers and pilgrims in the earth ; they 
endured, supported by the power of faith, the 
trial of cruel mocking and scourgings; yea, 
moreover, of bonds and imprisonments ; they 
wandered in deserts and in mountains, and in 
dens, and caves of the earth. 

How must that crowd of witnesses, look down 
upon christians of the present day. How won- 
derful to them our little attainments in piety, and 
faith, and sanctification ; and above all, how as- 
tonishing to them that any should live unaffected, 
amid so much that is convincing, having no hope, 
and without God in the world, though he is not 
very far from everyone of them. 

O how can a modern infidel stand before this 
holy army of martyrs, in the day of judgment. 
How can those who love darkness rather than 
light, because their own deeds are evil, denying 
the doctrines of God's w^ord, ciying peace, when 
God hath not pronounced it, stand before thetn. 



INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 19 

How can they who remove the scandal of the 
cross, ' denying the Lord that bought them,' ap- 
pear before those who beheved in a Saviour to 
come ; and having obtained a good report, 
through faith, are now worshippers of the full 
glory of tlie Lamb. 

O what confusion must be theirs, who, almost 
persuaded to be christians, have nevertheless 
failed of the grace of God ; meeting at the judg- 
ment seat of Christ, those, as they must, who 
have been sanctitied, and have been made victo- 
rious over sin and death, through the power of 
the same truths, which to themselves have been 
a savor of death. 

In review — if the Scriptures are a complete 
revelation, with what diligence ought we to 
search them, as 'the oracles of God,' containing 
the words of eternal life. 

If God has given us a sufficient revelation, with 
what gratitude ought we to receive it. 

If more is depending on the state of the heart, 
on the submissive disposition of mind, than on 
the amount of knowledge, with what a prayerful 
and childlike spirit should we study God's word, 
assured, that if any man will do his will, he shall 
know of his doctrine. 

It is with this view of the state of religion and 
of the means which the Almighty has given his 



20 INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 

friends for carrying forward his cause among men 
that we have been induced to offer to the public, 
this httle work on Refigious Revival. It is not 
recommended as containing any new principles, 
either doctrines or rules of life. But whoever 
shall read it with a devout, prayerful heart, seek- 
ing simply a more willing mind to labor for 
God in the Gospel of his Son, will find truth 
clearly stated, duty forcibly illustrated and urged, 
^nd the vyhole accompanied with a pious spirit, 
an unction from the Holy One, which wins the 
soul to a life o£ active piety. 

It shall be followed by our sincere and fer- 
vent prayers, that the Divine Spirit, >vithout 
whose aid all is in vain, may make it a silent, 
but awakening and powerful preacher to hun- 
dreds and thousands of the members of our 
xihurches who need a deeper consciousness of 
the worth of the soul, and of the imminent dan- 
ger of the impenitent, and whose zeal needs to 
be called into vigorous action, in order to make 
them extensively useful in the cause of our bless- 
ed Redeemer, 



AUTHOR'S PREFACE 



Observing the annunciation that Wednesday, 
the 10th of December, would be set apart by 
the Baptist churches in London as a day of ex- 
traordinary prayer, the congregation meeting in 
Hosiers' Street, Reading, immediately adopted 
a similar resolution. The attendance was nu- 
merous, the spirit fervent, and the season sol- 
emn. The sermon now presented to the public 
was preached by the author to his own people 
on the morning of the Lord's day following, in 
order to promote a spirit of exertion conformable 
with the attitude of prayer. It is primarily to 
them that he still addresses it from the press ; 
and if he commits it to a more extensive circu- 
lation, it is neither because he conceives himself 
to be paiticularly entitled to the attention of his 
brethren, nor because he has anything new or ex- 
traordinary to communicate ; but because he re- 
joices to perceive a growing excitement in refer- 
ence to the progress of religion, and would be 
happy to aid in giving it a right direction. 



22 PREFACE. 

In attempting to do so, he has urged the adop- 
tion of a habit of personal and individual effort, 
among the disciples of Christ, for the conversion 
of the ungodly. It may perhaps cccasion sur- 
prise, that he should have thought it necessary to 
dwell on such a topic, in a day which claims to 
be regarded as pre-eminently characterized by 
christian exertion. The writer is not wholly ig- 
norant of the kind or the degree of activity which 
prevails in the religious world, in which, indeed 
he has borne some humble part, and to which he 
wishes to do ample justice ; but his deliberate opi- 
nion is, that, while, in the kind of activity which 
exists, the degree is far from being just matter of 
complacency, there is a large sphere of obliga- 
tory effort criminally and almost totally neglect- 
ed. He is ready to allow whatever can be just- 
ly said of the pecuniary liberality of the present 
period ; he acknowledges the zeal which is 
shown for the maintenance and extension of an 
official ministry ; and, with still greater pleasure, 
does he contempUite the incipient labors of those 
who go " into the streets and lanes of the city :" 
but, to say nothing of the very partial and inade- 
quate execution of these sacred duties and bles- 
sed enterprises, what are the proffesors of religion 
doing individually to save sinners'^ Let any man, 
in a spirit of the most fervent charity, make the 



PREFACE. 23 

inquiry respecting those whom he personally 
knows, and with whose general habits he is well 
acquainted ; in what method or to what extent, do 
these persons appear to try to rescue a soul from 
death ? The answer to this question could scarce- 
ly be far from the truth, since efforts of such a 
character are not easily concealed : but, inasmuch 
as they may be so in part, let every i)rofessor 
make the scrutiny perfectly accurate, by carrying 
it into his own bosom, and seriously asking, What 
have I ever done, or what am I in the habit of do- 
ing, for the conversion of ungodly men ? The 
writer has a stong conviction that, in comparison 
with its resources, almost nothing is done in this 
direction, through the whole church of Christ. 
Amidst all the activity of the age, the direct means 
of conversion are for the most part resigned to 
professional hands, and the care of men's souls 
almost as completely left to the ministers of the 
gospel, as that of their bodies to the physician. 
With even the awakened anxiety of the present 
moment respecting the progress of religion, there 
is associated to a great extent tlie mistaken and in- 
jurious sentiment, that the only thing wanting is 
a divine blessing, and that the only means to be 
used is prayer ; or that, if any persons are to be 
more laborious, it is only the ministers. The Lord 
help his ministers to be more laborious 1 We 



24 PREFACE. 

have all need to be quickened in our work, and 
no faithful minister wishes to shrink from it. But 
this cherished feeling of exemption on the part 
of christians at large is a great evil ; it is one of 
the greatest evils of the present age. It lies like 
a mountain on the bosom of the church of Christ, 
and it oppresses the heart which would otherwise 
heave with far mightier throes for the salvation 
of the world. It stifles her voice; it paralyzes 
her hands ; it induces a sluggishness of the gen- 
eral circulation, and with it a morbid want of 
sensibility, which renders it im])03sible to elicit 
even the existing signs of life, except by a sys- 
tem of excessive and unhealthy stimulants. Nor 
can any rational hope be entertained of what 
seems to be so ardently longed for, naaiely, a 
revival of religion, until this vast slumbering 
body is aroused to throw off its incubus, and bend 
its whole energies to the effort. 

To the exhibition and the remedy of this evil 
the author of the following discourse has direct- 
ed his attention. As was his duty, he has first 
addressed himself to the people of his immediate 
charge ; but if there be truth or value in the sen- 
timents he has expressed, he earnestly commends 
them to the consideration of his remoter brethren. 
Wl'.at exceptions may be justly claimed to the 
opinion he has formed, he does not know ; but, 



PREFACE. 25 

while lie fears they are few, he is sure that those 
who are truly most devoted will not be the most 
eager to except themselves, or the most difficult 
of access to the iDfluence of stimulant appeals. 
If there are some who could not say that they 
have ever strenuously tried to turn one sinner to 
God, what multitudes more must confess that they 
have suffered many to pass from their influence, 
at whose conversion they ought to have aimed ; 
that they have neglected innumerable opportuni- 
ties hi which such an object might have been 
hopefully pui*sued ; and surrendered many an 
hour to indolence, to luxury, or to folly, which a 
deeper tone of piety would have consecrated to 
this nobler end ! 

It may seem difficult to reconcile a state of 
inaction in a direction so obviously pointed out 
by divine truth, and so strongly congenial with 
devout feeling, with a lively state of experimen- 
tal religion. The author is not disposed, how- 
ever, to come to a very painful conclusion on 
this point. lie conceives rather that this part 
of their duty has been overlooked, while the 
attention of christians has been absorbed in their 
own edification. It cannot for a moment be 
supposed tliat the writer holds spiritual consola- 
tion and improvement in low, estimation, or 
would insinuate that any person can be too earn- 



26 PREFACE. 

est in the pursuit of them. But attention to an 
object, though not excessive in itself, may be so 
in comparison. It may be disproportionate ; it 
may unawares lead us to forget another, which 
has equal, or at all events decisive claims on our 
regard. This the writer conceives to have hap- 
pened with christian edification. Professors have 
desired this not too fervently, but too exclusively ; 
and while bent on satiating their own souls, they 
have not been alive to the relief of the hungry 
and the perishing. Hence it is that you may 
find devout pfersons, who make no more direct 
effort to convert a sinner than if there were not 
such a being in the world. Hence it is, too, that 
the state of church union loses in a great measure 
its appropriate character of activity ; and while 
it is valued as a pavilion into which the righteous 
may enter to pour out their sorrows, and find re- 
fuge from their trials, it ceases to resemble a for- 
tress, from which the soldiers of the cross are 
continually issuing, to assail the kingdom of dark- 
ness, and rescue the captives of Satan. Hence, 
finally, it arises, that even the ministry of the di- 
vine word has undergone a most injurious modi- 
fication. The pastoral character in great part 
absorbs the ministerial, and the edification of the 
church takes precedence of the conversion of the 
world. In this manner the preaching of the gos- 



PREFACE. 27 

pel loses its primary and most important aspect, 
to assume almost exclusively a secondary and 
less important one ; and its main address is no 
longer to sinners, but to saints. The consum- 
mation of this process is, that ministers, being in 
the habit of speaking chiefly to the righteous, 
have few sinners to address ; and at length, in 
some cases, come to the strange conclusion that 
they have nothing to say to the vs^icked if they 
were there. This corruption of the gospel is a 
most afflictive one ; and one for the origination 
and continuance of which the churches of Christ 
have to accuse chiefly themselves. The author 
would rejoice to promote an increasing readiness 
in christians, not only to endure, but to welcome 
a large measure of address to the unconverted. 
He cannot but think, that, if they felt a due pity 
for their condition, and were accustomed them- 
selves to strive for their conversion, they would 
delight in such appeals, and be scarcely less hap- 
py to sit and pray for others, than to be comforted 
themselves. 

The author is well aware, that the habit of pub- 
lic exertion which the last thirty years has intro- 
duced, is conceived to have been unfavorable to 
the cultivation of personal piety, and to have im- 
parted to it, as known in the present day, a su- 
pei-ficial character much to be regretted. What- 



28 PREFACE. 

ever justice there may be in this remark, it is ob- 
vious that the efforts he enforces cannot have a 
similar tendency. The evil has arisen from de- 
serting private for public activity. To attend 
committees, to frequent public meetings, to un- 
dertake collections, to write reports, to make 
speeches, are things, which, however necessary, 
useful or agreeable, tend not to feed, but to ex- 
haust piety ; and a man had need be of more than 
an ordinary standard, and maintain an unusual 
nearness to God, to sustain such a life without 
injury ; while, in too many instances, these exer- 
tions have been suffered to abridge those devout 
retirements, in which the essential nourishment 
of religion is chiefly derived. The effect of per- 
sonal effort to convert men will be altogether dif- 
ferent. Jt takes no man far abroad. It begins at 
home, with his children and his servants. It ac- 
companies him wherever he goes, and leads him 
precisely where he would go, if he had no such 
object. Or, if it occasionally conducts him else- 
where, it is not to scenes of even religious dissi- 
pation, but to individual converse ; it is to behold 
depravity and guilt, not in picturesque descrip- 
tion, but in embodied misery ; and to aim at the 
conversion of a soul, not by loud plaudits of an 
orator, but by the compassionate pleadings of his 
own lips ; not by the opening of a liljeral purse 



PREFACE. 29 

but by the more influential utterance of a melting 
heart. This is work to do a man's soul good, to 
teach him what it is to be a christian, and what 
a christian ought to be ; to make him feel the 
value and the need of sterling principles of piety ; 
and to send him to his knees, both with more 
fervent supplication and more ardent praise. 

But the writer must check himself in a course 
of remark, by which he js, perhaps, too long de- 
taining his readers from the main subject of the 
discourse. What joy would it not afford him, if 
each would peruse it with a spirit of serious ex- 
amination and fervent prayer ; and, without once 
thinking either of the sermon or the author, yield 
his v/hole soul to conviction, penitence, and re- 
formation ! 



3* 



MEANS 

OF 

RELIGIOUS REVIVAL 



Matthew v, 13. 

*' YE ARE THE SA.LT OF THE EARTH I BUT IF THE 
SALT HAVE LOST HIS SAVOUR, WHEREWITH 
SHVLL IT BE SALTED? IT IS THENCEFORTH 
GOOD FOR NOTHING, BUT TO BE CAST OUT, 
AND TRODDEN UNDER FOOT OF MEN." 

Our attention has lately been directed to the 
very serious and affecting fact, that the progress 
of rehgion, at the present period, is by no means 
rapid ; far less so than must be desired, and 
might be expected. On this account we have 
engaged in an exercise of extraordinary prayer ; 
an occasion on which your attendance was grati- 
fying, and on which we are assured that the 
God of Zion accepted graciously wiiatever of 
real prayer was presented at his footstool. Ever 
since that day, however, I have seemed to have 
ringing in my ears the words of the Lord to ""ne 
of his ancient servants, "What doest thou h- re, 
Elijah ?^ Was it then wrong to pray ? No : but 



32 



it will be wrong tp content ourselves with pray- 
er. The question addressed to the prophet was 
designed to turn him from his lamentation over 
the idolatrous state of the Jewish nation, to his 
duty as its destined reformer; and we need 
equally to be directed from our supphcations to 
our labors. We have presented our petitions at 
the throne of grac , for the conversion of the 
world. Here is the answer to them : " Ye are 

THE SALT OF THE EARTH." As tllOUgll the 

Lord had said, " The conversion of the world 
lies not only with me; it lies in part with your- 
selves. If it is mine to pour out a blessing, it is 
yours to employ the means upon which alone 
a blessing can rest. Depart, therefore, to your 
labor ; and see that you are as faithful to your 
obligations, as you have implored me to be to 
my promises." Such ought to have been our 
spirit and our purpose while waiting at his 
throne ; and if indeed it were not, we could ex- 
pect little else than to be driven from his pres- 
ence, with the indignant rebuke, " Wilt thou call 
this a fast, and an acceptahle day to the Lord ? 
Bring no more vain oblations ; the calling of as- 
semblies I cannot away with.' 

I am constraiued, therefore, by a solemn sense 
of duty, and a deep feeling of its importance, to 
dwell upon this subject to day, and to urge, 



33 



with affectionate importunity, our obligation to 
instant activity. And though, in an effort which 
may encounter estabUshed habits of thought and 
feeling as well as of action, if I may not rather 
say of inaction and self-indulgence, I might be 
api»rehensive of little success, the time, the cir- 
cumstances, the remembrance ©f your prayers, 
together with the awakened interest and increas- 
ed excitement of your minds, encourage a hope 
that it will not be in vain. At all events it is my 
duty to make the attempt: may God crown it 
with his blessing ! 

The passage before us divides itself into two 
portions. It contains, first, a general view of 
the relation which the disciples of Christ sustain 
to the world : and, secondly, a representation of 
the importance of fully maintaining the charac- 
ter assigned to us : " Ye are the salt of the 
EARTH. But if the salt has lost its sa- 
vour, WHEREWITH SHALL IT BE SALTED? It 
IS THENCEFORTH GOOD FOR NOTHING, BUT TO 
BE CAST OUT, AND TRODDEN UNDER FOOT OF 
MEN." 

I. Our Lord here presents to us, in the first 
place, a general view of the relation which his 
disciples sustain to the world. They are the 

SALT OF THE EARTH. 

Of course this is figurative language. By the 



34 



earth is doubtless intended the general mass of 
mankind. And when Christ speaks of the salt 
of the earth, he clearly intimates that mankind 
generally are in a state susceptible of, and, in 
truth, imperatively requiring, a beneficial change ; 
as some substances, under the action of salt, re- 
ceive an additional flavor, or are even preserved 
from decay. The assertion that his disciples are 
the salt of the earth, carries with it the idea of 
their fitness and destination to produce the con- 
templated effect. Let us mark the sentiments 
which the passage, thus interpreted, is adapted 
to convey. 

1. It teaches us, in the first place, that man- 
kind generally are in need of a beneficial change. 
The change to which the text refers is obvious- 
ly a religious one ; and the implication of it is, 
that the great bulk of mankind are in an irre- 
ligious state. That this was the case at the time 
our Lord spoke, is sufficiently manifest, without 
particular proof; and, when we think of the 
wide tracts and multiplied nations yet scarcely, 
or not at all, enlightened by the gospel, it can 
admit of no doubt that it is so still. But can 
such a representation be truly made of human 
society, within the more favored hmits of re- 
ligious light and christian profession? Is the 
bulk of protestant countries, or of our own coun- 



35 



try, ungodly ? Are the majority of our neigh- 
bors living without God in the world ? Are the 
irreligious to be found in the circles of our ac- 
quaintance, and in the bosom of our families ? 
To answer these questions, it is needful to de- 
termine on what principle the answer shall be 
given. The grand inquiry is this : Is religion a 
matter of name and form, of relation and profes- 
sion ? Or is it personal, internal, and spiritual ? 
If the former, then indeed may we look round 
upon the swarming population of our country 
with a complacent and delighted eye: but if the 
latter, as we most solemnly believe to be the 
case, its aspect assumes a very different and a 
melancholy hue. "Except a man be born 
again," said our divine Instructor, " he cannot see 
the kingdom of God."^ "If any man be in 
Christ,' says an inspired apostle, *heis a new 
creature. Old things are passed away ; behold 
all things are become new."f "Be not de- 
ceived : God is not mocked. For what a man 
soweth that shall he also reap. He that soweth 
to the flesh shall of the flesh reap perdition ; but 
he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap 
life everlasting." J Judging by this rule, it must 
be admitted, with whatever pain, that the iiTe- 
ligious are to be found among us in numbers of 

♦ John iii. 3 f 2 Cor. v. 17. X Gal. vi. 1, 8. 



36 



a most afflictive amount. It is not the many who 
are characterized by piety and purity, by love to 
God and delight in his service, by self-denial and 
consecration to his glory. These, alas ! are the 
few. Persons of a different character, under a 
thousand varied aspects, indeed more or less 
amiable or unamiable, but all destitute of pure 
and undefiled religion, are everywhere discerni- 
ble, both in the social and the domestic circle. 
Happy is the family in which every inmate is a 
friend of God ; and that is yet more happy in 
w^iich the same can be said of every relative. 
What circle in a neighborhood could you de- 
scribe, that should comprehend even a very few 
persons and not enclose an ungodly one? How 
often might you explore a similar compass, with- 
out discovering a christian indeed ! In what tho- 
roughfare could you stand, and receive a candid 
answer from every passenger, without perceiv- 
ing that the mass of society is yet far from God ? 
At what point of general concourse could you 
attend, and observe the display of character elici- 
ted there, without a deep and melancholy convic- 
tion that the world still lieth in wickedness? 
Along what street, or through what hamlet, could 
you go, and take the most charitable glance into 
every dwelling, without ascertahiing them to be, 
in a deplorable number of instances, habitations 



37 



of ignorance, if not of vice ? During what day 
can you conduct your ordinary concerns, with- 
out feehng yourselves brought into contact with 
many who have not the fear of God before their 
«yes ? O ! it is too true, that the mass of human 
society, in the most favored circumstances, needs 
to have added to it a flavor of godhness. ReU- 
gion, real religion, is yet to be imparted, ere we 
can be truly called a christian people ; ere the 
stain of sin can be effaced, or its everlasting and 
calamitous consequences prevented, 

2. Our Lord's declaration that his disciples 
are the salt of the earth, teaches us, in the second 
place, that they possess a fitness to produce this 
most desirable and important change ; as salt is 
adapted to prevent the decay and improve the 
flavor of the substances to which it may be suita- 
bly applied. The truth of this representation wiix 
readily appear. 

The first thing necessary to the conversion of 
•a sinner is instruction ; and every disciple of 
Christ, without excepting even the least informed 
is in possession of sufiacient knowledge for this pur^ 
pose. He may know little ; but if he has been 
Caught of God (and if he has not, he is no disci- 
ple,) he knows well and clearly, both his guilt and 
his misery ; together with the way of salvation by 
Jesus Christ, in its suitableness, its excellency 
and its all-sufiiciency. If he knows this, he cbm 
4 



38 



teach it ; and if this is all he knows, as it is enough 
for his own salvation, so it is enough for the con- 
version of his neighbor. For Christ is " the wis- 
dom of God, and the power of God ;^ and to 
know him is to become wise unto salvation. 

It is next important to the conversion of a sin- 
ner, that he should be addressed neither with 
harshness, nor with coldness ; but in a tone of 
deep feeling as to the general importance of sal- 
vation, and of fervent kindness in reference to his 
particular welfare. Such a mode of address is 
obviously most adapted to conciliate his regard, 
and to penetrate his heart. And this is just the 
tone which the disciple of Christ is prepared to 
employ. Having been in a similar condition of 
wretchedness and ruin, he is is qualified to feel 
tender compassion for that of his fellow man ; 
nor, even in endeavoring to convince of sin, can 
he well be harsh with the faults of another, since 
he has experienced a gracious forgiveness of his 
own. If he speaks, it may truly be expected to 
be with pity in his heart ; and with a thrilling 
solemnity about the salvation of a soul, which, in 
his own case, has been wonderfully rescued from 
everlasting burnings. 

To this substantial fitness for attempting the 
conversion of sinners, may be added the inciden- 
tal facilities arising from the circumstances and 
relations of life. The disciples of Christ, though 

* 1 Cor. i. 24. 



39 



separated from the world in their character and 
pursuits, are not so in their condition. Not of 
the world, they are still in it. They continue to 
sustain its various relations, and to possess the 
kindly and important influences which arise from 
them. In conversing on the concerns of religion, 
instead of speaking as a stranger, it will be in 
one case, as a neighbor or an acquaintance ; in 
another, as a friend ; in another, as a relative, a 
brother or a sister, a parent or a child. All these 
circumstances give us facilities for speaking, they 
teach us how to speak, and they open many de- 
lightful avenues to the heart. Such intercourse 
has a great superiority over every other kind of 
address. How often may it be renewed ! What 
advantage may be taken of occurrences perpetu- 
ally varying ! How easily may instruction be min- 
gled with the kind offices of friendship, or be in- 
sinuated amidst the expressions of conjugal, fra- 
ternal, or parental love ! 

To crown all, the disciples of Christ are fitted 
to be the salt of the earth by the very fo^ce of 
piety itself Religion gives a visible peculiarity 
to the character; it makes men different from 
what they were, and from what others are. And 
the character thus formed is an instructive one. 
It presents an aspect of happiness, loveliness, and 
excellence. It is a practical confiimation of that 
which has been poured from the lips, and appeals 



40 



powerfully to the heart of the observer. " Thia 
man has been telling me," he may say within 
himself, " that I am unholy, and indeed his con- 
duct puts me to shame. He has assured me that 
there is a happiness greater than any I have yet 
found ; and I must believe it, for I see it in his 
countenance. He tells me that religion raises the 
character, and in truth I see a great change in 
him. It must be as he affirms." Thus a holy 
life has a voice. In more convincing tones it 
echoes the instructions of the lips which have al- 
ready been as a fountain of wisdom. Its elo- 
quence never ceases. It speaks when the tongue 
is silent ; and is either a constant attraction or a 
perpetual reproof. It speaks on all subjects, and 
shows the nature and excellency of religion, both 
in duty and in trial, both in sorrows and in joys, 
3. While it is thus manifest that the disciples 
of Christ are instruments admirably fitted for the 
conversion of men, the text leads us to observe, 
in the third place, that the accomplishment of 
this end requires a specific effort. Salt is adapt- 
ed to impart a flavor ; but it will not do so unless 
it is applied. It might be thought, perhaps, that 
the simple locality of true christians, dispersed as 
they are through society in all its parts, would 
correspond suflSciently with the metaphori- 
cal import of the text in this particular ; and 
it is tnie that, in consequence of this locality, with- 



41 



out aiiy specific effort, their example will shinej 
and may be expected to produce a measure of 
advantage. But it is obvious that the fitness for 
the conversion of sinners possessed by the disci* 
pies of Christ, is not fully brought into action by 
this means. The influence of example, on the 
contrary, is only a part, and a very small part, of 
that which it is in their power to employ. It 
tends rather to confirm instruction which has 
been given, than in the fii'st instance to convey 
it ; nor can it have its full and proper efficacy, 
except as an illustration and seal of what the lips 
have uttered, and the ear has heard. The know- 
ledge of divine things possessed by a christian in- 
deed, cannot be made truly conducive to anoth- 
er's good without express communication ; nor 
can the impressive seriousness and tender com- 
passion which he feels, find any such access to 
the heart as by the tones of the voice. Superad- 
ded to these, the influence of a holy conduct will 
be great and decisive ; while without them it 
might rather impart an air of inconsistency to the^ 
general character. Must it not be deemed strange, 
that, if a man's life pleads for God, his hps should 
not plead too ? And would not the conscious- 
ness that a christian was studiously framing his 
conduct so as to exhibit the importance and ex- 
cellency of religion, while he was yet silent on 
the subject, lead an ungodly man to say, " I am 
4^ 



42 



surprised he does not speak to me about it ? *^ If 
the salt is to impart its saltness, it must bs fully 
and directly applied : and if the disciples of Christ 
impart the benefits which they are fitted to con- 
vey, it can be only by bringing the whole of their 
character and aptitude into bearing. The tongue 
must be employed to communicate instruction, as 
well as the conduct to confirm it ; and this too 
in all the circumstances of life, and on all the op- 
portunities which its varied intercourse may af- 
ford. To fail of this is to abandon the grand in- 
strument of our usefulness, and to leave the ir^ 
religious to their wretchedness and their ruin, 

4. The declaration of our Lord indicates, fourth- 
ly, that his disciples are the appointed instruments 
for the convemon of the world. " Ye are the 

SALT OF THE EARTH :" HOt OUly of the 

nature of salt to a savourless or putrifying mass ; 
but THE SALT, by which specifically the mass 
is to be flavored and preserved. 

It cannot be intimated by this passage thaf the 
conversion of e sinner is a work, as to its actual 
accomplishment, within the compass of human 
power. Though it be only to instruct, to con- 
vince, and to persuade; though the motives are 
of immense power, and though the disciples of 
Christ do possess an eminent adaptation to it : 
yet it is foretold to us, by Him who knows the 
secrets of all hearts, that the actual conversion of 



43 



a sinner demands another and a superior agency 
" Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit^ 
saith the Lord." ^ He works in those whobe- 
heve with " the exceeding greatness of that pow- 
er which he wrought in Christ, when he raised 
him from the dead."f The influence which can 
change the heart is exclusively his own ; and 
however well adapted the means may be, or 
however zealously employed, without his blessing 
there will be no success. Paul may plant, and 
Apollos water, but " God giveth the increase." J 
The agency allotted to his people is clearly sub- 
ordinate ; and I trust that nothing I may say 
will be interpreted into a confounding of the 
work of the saints /or conversion, with the work 
of God the Holy Spirit in it. His is the efficient 
agency, theii*s the instrumental. Keeping up a 
clear distinction between these two, that which 
we have now to observe, is, that an instrumental 
agency in the conversion of the world is truly 
appointed to the saints. They are the salt of the 
earth* 

Such a destination might be not obscurely in- 
ferred from the very fact that a character adapt- 
ed to this end is formed in them. For there is 
in ail the works of God, combined with bound- 
less fulness, a strict economy of resources. No- 
thing is wanting, neither is anything wasted. 

* Zech, iv. 6. f Eph. i. 19, 20, 1 1 Cor. iii- 6. 



44 



With endless abundance there is no prodigality, 
Whatever the properties of anything may be, 
they are brought into action and use. If he has 
made great lights, it is to rule the day, and to 
cheer the night. If he gives to the thirsty at- 
mosphere supplies of moisture from the teeming 
earth, or permits it to drink ampler draughts 
from the swelling ocean, it is that the watery 
treasures of the sky may descend in blessings 
on the fruitful ground. It is necessary to his 
v^isdom that it should be so : for " neither do 
men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, 
but upon a candlestick, that it may give hght to 
all that are in the house." * Now the works of 
nature are the pattern of the works of grace. If 
he suffers no beam of natural light to be kindled 
without an object, much less the brighter beams 
of light divine. If he has made us, who were 
once darkness, to be light in the Lord, it is that 
we may shine as hghts in a dark place. Or, to 
return to the metaphor in our text, if he has 
made us as salt to a corrupt world, it is that we 
should be the salt of the earth, and diffuse on 
every hand the savour we have received. Were 
it not so, it would be production without design ; 
the creation of an instrument without an ob- 
ject to be attained by it ; an instance, in a word, 

* Matt. V. 15. 



45 



and in Him an incredible instance, of prodigality 
and wastefulness. 

We are not left, however, to this inference 
alone. God has instructed us in the nature of 
his design, by express directions as to our duty. 
Our text itself has the force of an injunction, that 
the salt should not lose its savour. And almost 
immediately afterwards it is added, ''Let your 
light so shine before men, that they seeing your 
good works, may glorify your Father which is 
in heaven." "^ It was to his disciples at large, 
that Christ said, " Go ye into all the world, and 
preach the gospel to every creature." f He ad- 
dresses the exhortation no less to every con- 
vert, "Go home to thy friends, and tell them 
how great things the Lord hath done for thee, 
and hath had compassion on thee." % To this 
we may add the words of the apostle, "Have 
no fellowship with the unfruitful works of dark- 
ness, but rather reprove them ; " § " among 
whom shine ye, as lights in the world, holding 
forth the word of life." || 

In accordance with the design which these in- 
junctions discover, is the station of prominence 
and publicity in which Christ has placed his dis- 
ciples. He has not suffered them to be either 
hidden or disguised. There is something in re- 

* Matt. V. 16. t Mark xvi. 15. % Mark v. 19. 

$Eph.v. 11. llPhil. ii. 15, 16. 



46 



ligion, indeed, which tends to make itself known, 
and will not suffer a christian to be altogether 
concealed. But in addition to this our Lord has 
required from all his followers, an avowal of 
their attachment to him, and a public dedication 
of themselves to his service. It is demanded of 
them to witness a good confession, in the face 
often of a wondering, and sometimes of a scoff- 
ing world. They thus acquire an inevitable 
publicity. They are as a city set on a hill, which 
cannot be hid. Their prominence, like the ele- 
vation of a candle on a candlestick, is intended 
to enlarge the sphere of their influence ; to make 
their light spread through a larger area, and 
reach a wider circumference. It adds nothing 
to their comfort ; it rather increases their respon- 
sibility, and with it their cares, their difficulties, 
and their dangers ; and it shows, therefore, the 
more strongly, that it is God's design, in the 
conversion of one sinner, to make him instru- 
mental in the conversion of others. 

The measures which he has actually pursued 
in reference to the prevalence of religion, exactly 
correspond with the idea we are enforcing. 
After the departure of our risen Lord, the faith 
was " delivered to the saints." ^ The diffusion 
of the gospel was left in the hands of the disci- 
ples of that age, and it has equally been left 
in the hands of the disciples of every suc- 

*Jude 3. 



47 



ceeding age. No instrumental agency for 
this end has been brought into bearing, but 
the voluntary efforts of the people of God; 
nor is an intimation any where given that any 
other will hereafter be employed. The an- 
gels are ministering spirits, sent forth to minis- 
ter to the heirs of salvation ; but no part appears 
to be allotted to them in the proclamation of the 
gospel, or in the conversion of sinners. They 
rejoice in it, indeed, but it is as a work wrought 
by other hands. Nor are the spirits of the just 
made perfect called into this field of labor, though 
it couldr not but be highly delightful to them, and 
though they can scarcely be otherwise than, in 
some respects at least, pre-eminently qualified 
for it. The whole of this instrumentality is con- 
fined to the living disciples of their Lord. In- 
cluding in our language the whole of this body, 
it may be affirmed, that nothing will ever be 
done for the conversion of the world, but what 
we do for this end. We are the salt of the 
earth ; and if it derives no seasoning from us, 
it will derive none from any other quarter, but 
will proceed from its present corruption to its 
final perdition. 

It is not to be imagined that so grievous a state 
and issue of things will be prevented by an abun- 
dant out-pouring of the Spirit; since there is no 
object to be attained by such an effusion, but to 
give efficacy to means employed. To a work 



48 



which is to be accomplished by means, the use 
of those means is as necessary as the power which 
is to give them success. Such a work is the con- 
version of the world. The earth is to be seasoned 
by the saints; and no farther than their exertions 
are employed for this end, is there any thing up- 
on which the influence of the Spirit may rest, or 
to which his gracious efficacy will be imparted. 

5. We have yet further to observe, fifthly, that 
the design of our Lord respecting the beneficial 
instrumentality of his disciples is universal : or 
rather, without limitation. 

On the one hand, it comprehends the whole 
number of his followers. When he says " Yu 
are the salt of the earth," he contemplates no par- 
ticular portion of them, but the body at large. 
The words occur in a discourse which cannot be 
alleged to have any special reference to the apos^ 
ties ; nor can they by any means be confined to 
the multitude then in attendance on his ministry. 
Nor is there any reason why a limitation [should 
be assigned to them. It is obvious, indeed, that 
a great diversity in point of knowledge and abili^ 
ty, wealth and influence, exists among christians ; 
but it should be remembered, that these are not the 
things in which their adaptation to usefulness has 
been shown to consist. That which fits a follower 
of Christ to do good is, that he knows the value 
of a Saviour, that he feels the importance of eter* 



49 



nity, and that he can confirm his words by 
his example. These qualifications will be found 
to obtain universally, and perhaps most abun- 
dantly where least suspected. If there be one 
found totally deficient in them, let it be ad- 
mitted that he is not to be reckoned among the 
salt of the earth ; but it will surely be difficult to 
retain him in the family of God. And if every 
disciple of Christ, however obscure in his circum- 
stances, or destitute of general information, pos- 
sesses in fact the essential requisites for the con- 
version of the world, it needs nothing more to 
demonstrate that he was intended to co-operate 
in the work. 

On the other hand, as the language of the text 
carries universality with it when indicating the 
class of agents to be employed, it has a similar 
force when it refers to the sphere of their influ- 
ence. " Ye are the salt of the earth : " not of a 
portion of the earth merely, but of the whole. 
It is clear that the efforts of each individual will 
naturally commence with those in immediate 
contact with him ; nor can it be expected that 
many will be able to extend their endeavors be- 
yond a small circle of relations and neighbors. 
Yet it is not difficult to trace the tendency of 
such operations to the conversion of the world. 
Each little circle thus formed has a principle of 
increase, and will extend its limits until it blende 
5 



50 



itself with others by which it may be more or 
less nearly surrouRded. These larger circles, 
again, will augment their circumference continu- 
ally, both by the essential activity of the extreme 
points, and by throwing outwards the energy 
which may be accumulated at the centre, and 
less urgently required in the area already occu- 
pied. Nor can any limit be assigned to this pro- 
gress until the earth shall be full of ihe know- 
ledge of the Lord. And this is the scope marked 
out by Christ for the influence of his followers. 
"Ye are the salt of the eakth ;" adequate and 
destined to the conversion of the world. 

6. We observe, finally, that the language of 
our Lord encourages a confident expectation of 
success. 

Though nothing is expressly said on the sub- 
ject, the very appointment of the means to the 
«nd involves this idea. Consider who it is that 
speaks. It is not merely that a casual observer 
has discovered an aptitude in pious persons to in- 
duce piety in others ; but it is the voice of the 
Redeemer himself, in the first instance, declaring 
the adequate adaptation of his followers to the in- 
strumental conversion of the world, and then an- 
nouncing his design that they should effect it. It 
is inconceivable that he should have chosen for 
such a purpose an insufficient agency ; or that, 
•having appointed one, he should whhhold the 



51 



blessing needful to its success. His affirmation 
that his disciples are the salt of the earth, is equi- 
valent to saying that their attempts for its conver- 
sion shall be triumphant. When we know the 
only means which he will employ for this or any 
other purpose, we know also that those means 
will infallibly succeed. 

It may be felt, perhaps, that this representation 
scarcely corresponds with the facts within our ob- 
servation. Many efforts have been made for the 
conversion of individuals which have not succeed- 
ed. But in how many instances is want of suc- 
cess precipitately inferred ? Who can tell, till 
the day shall declare it, with what happy results 
our endeavors may have been crowned ? And 
in instances of effort really unsuccessful, how 
probably may the failure be referred to a want of 
ardor ! How much greater our reward might 
have been, had we labored as we ought ! But, 
in truth, the language of the text is not of an in- 
dividual but a general reference ; so that the suc- 
cess of individual christians must be distinguished 
from that of the body, and the conversion of in- 
dividual sinners from that of the world. An oc- 
casional failure in the former case, or final im- 
penitence in the latter, does not invalidate the 
general truth. In the end, the whole earth will 
be brought to glorify God, and this blessed re- 
sult will be achieved by the instrumentality of 



52 



the saints. They are the salt of the earth ; and by 
them shall the corrupt mass be seasoned. 

Having thus briefly surveyed the relation which 
the disciples of Christ bear to the world, it is 
important, before v.'e proceed, to glance at the as- 
pects which it wears. 

1. The institution of this relation must be re- 
garded, first, as an exercise of the Redeemer's Wis- 
dom. It has not happened accidentally, but has 
been deliberately arranged ; and he has adopted 
this course, doubtless, not through any constraint 
or necessity, but because he saw it wisest and 
best. There is in it a fitness and excellency, 
which made it seem good in his eyes : it is to. be 
regarded, therefore, with the highest reverence 
and respect. 

But this is not all. Vain as it would be to sup- 
pose that we could discern the whole reasons 
which, in any case, may have determined the on- 
ly wise God, there are few instances in which we 
may not discern some of them : nor is it by any 
means difficult to trace the wisdom of the arrange- 
ment, that the conversion of the world should be 
effected by those who have already been called 
by his grace. 

It is a method which brings into operation ex- 
isting resources. It is characteristic of wisdom to 
expend no more on an object than its attainment 
requires, and to accomplish with instruments al- 



53 



ready formed, every thing for which they are pro- 
perly adapted. On this principle the conduct of 
our Lord proceeds. He has an end to attain, 
namely, the conversion of the world. He might 
easily produce new instruments for accomplish- 
ing it ; but why should he make such an effort 
without cause ? Has he in his present works any 
agents adapted to the end ? Assuredly he has. 
Though they are few and feeble, his disciples are 
so ; and he employs them. " Ye are the salt of 
the earth ; ye are the light of the world." Here 
is true and dignified economy, associated with 
boundless wealth. It is wisdom, turning to the 
fullest and best account all the resources it com- 
mands. 

The method he has chosen is, also, pre-emi- 
nently suitable, easy, and effectual. Let it be 
compared with the methods by which the same 
end has been attempted, according to the wisdom 
of men. Place it, for example, by the side of en- 
dowed establishments for the maintenance and 
propagation of the gospel, or compare it with the 
institution of a highly educated order of legalized 
clergy, irrespective as both these systems must be 
of any spiritual character. O how much more 
good has unlettered and individual piety achiev- 
ed in every age, than all this magnificent and 
showy apparatus ! 
5* 



54 



You will not suppose me to depreciate lor a 
iiionient either of those most important and ob- 
ligatory means of aiding the progress of rehgion, 
the stated ministry of the gospel, or missions to 
the heathen ; but place even them in comparison 
"with universal personal endeavor, and the result 
will be greatly in its favor. Missionaries and min- 
isters are comparatively few, and provided with 
difficulty ; individual effort briogs hundreds of 
thousands of laborers into the field in a moment. 
The support of ministers and missionaries in- 
\^olves (however unwilhngly) a large annual ex- 
penditure ; but for every christian to labor at home, 
costs absolutely nothing. Missionaries have to 
make great sacrifices, to run great risks, and often 
to fill an early grave ; while individual effort in- 
volves no hazard, bereaves no parent, afflicts no 
family. A man sent abroad goes as a stranger, 
vv^ith a thousand impediments to encounter ; in 
seeking to convert our neighbors and our friends, 
our way is open, our countenances are known, 
our language is understood, our influence is felt, 
our intention is appreciated. Private christians 
have many advantages cvet' ministers of the gos- 
pel, even in the most favored circumstances. 
The one speak in virtue of their office, and often 
under a degree of suspicion as to their sincerity ; 
the other can speak from no motive but unfeign- 
«ed love. The one can address their hearers but 



ou 



occasionally ;-the other may do it frequeDtly, and 
follow up their instructions by almost incessant 
watchfulness and admonition. The one speak 
as comparative strangers ; the other may employ 
the more touching eloquence of social kindness, 
of ardent friendship, and perhaps of fraternal or 
paternal love. The one can speak only to those 
who choose to attend on their ministry ; the oth- 
er are scattered through society in all its paths,. 
and can carry instruction and reproof to the heed- 
less and the abandoned. Had there been noth- 
ing instituted, therefore, but the public preaching 
of the gospel, whether at home or abroad, the 
easiest, most extensive, and most effectual means 
of converting the world would have been over- 
looked. Superficial observers might have con- 
ceived that little result could have been expect- 
ed, from even a multitude of such feeble efforts 
as those of individual christians in the same way 
as one might at first exclaim, Who would think 
of setting bounds to the sea by a sand bank : but 
He who knew that grains of sand form the only 
effectual barrier to the raging waters, discerned 
too that grains of salt would best season the cor- 
rupted world. He has, indeed, done well in in- 
stituting a public ministry ; but the consummate - 
ness of his wisdom lies in evoking the individual 
energy of his people. "Ye are the salt of the- 
earth ; ye are the light of the world." 



56 



2. In the second place, the language of our 
divine Lord must be regarded as an expression of 
his WILL. It clearly marks out the Une of con- 
duct which he would have his disciples pursue, 
and is fully equivalent to a command. 

" Ye are the salt of the earthJ*^ It is as though 
he had said, " By my grace I have fitted you, and 
in my good pleasure 1 have appointed you, to be 
the instruments of converting the world. Be ye 
the salt of the earth. Every where let your influ- 
ence be felt, and your capabihties be exerted." 
The text necessarily assumes this aspect, because 
the result anticipated implies and requires the 
voluntary effort of the followers of Christ. The 
corrupt earth will not be seasoned by the mere 
fact of Christians being scattered through it, 
without their endeavors to instruct, to convince 
and to persuade. The Lord's declaration, there- 
fore, must be our directory. Let us charge it up- 
on ourselves solemnly, if we are his disciples in- 
deed, that it be with us an object of real and prac- 
tical endeavor to do every thing that can be done 
for the conversion of sinners. We are not called 
upon merely to cherish a desire, however fervent, 
that sinners may be converted, or even to pray, 
with whatever enlargement, for this blessing ; nei- 
ther arc we to content ourselves with remote and 
indirect efforts for this end, such as supporting 
the ministry of the gospel, or promoting missions 



57 



to the heathen : that which is demanded is our 
personal labor. We are individually summoned 
to use the direct means of conversion ; to be the 
salt of the earth. 

The means of conversion are of great variety. 
Among them undoubtedly may be reckoned en- 
deavors to circulate the hoJy scriptures, and to 
put into the hands of every man the volume 
whicli is able to make him wise unto salvation. 
But this is not all, nor even chief. The intention 
of Christ, as expressed in this passage, plainly is, 
that the actual character of his disciples should 
be brought into complete contact with that of un- 
godly men ; for they are the salt of the earth. 
The words lead us of necessity, therefore, to the 
use of such means of con version as express this 
character ; namely, to conversation of an instruct- 
ive, convincing, or persuasive tendency ; to serious 
admonition, or even pointed reproof; to affection- 
ate- prayer; and the subserviency to this object 
of all the intercourse of hfe, as the writing of let- 
ters, occasional visits, offices of kindness, and the 
influence of relationship or domestic association. 
It is thus, by direct and personal effort, that a dis- 
ciple of Christ should seek the conversion of sin- 
ners. 

And this should be the attitude of every disci- 
ple. None are exempt from the appointment, 
none are destitute of the qualification. None are 
without fitness for the work, and none are at lib- 



58 



erty to decline it. It may easily be said by some 
My ability is very small : and without entering 
into any argument on this point, I only say, that 
whatever it may be, it is enough, with God's 
blessing, to convert sinners. Besides, does not 
Christ know what it is ? Is it not such as he has 
given you? Is it not such as he requires to be 
employed ? Do you presume to say that what 
he has prepared for beneficial action is unfit for 
it ; or that what he demands for this purpose shall 
be refused ? However small a portion, you still 
are a portion of the salt of the earth : see that 
you act as such. The less your talent, the more 
need of activity. Beware lest your plea of incom- 
petency be but a cloak for your indolence. Do 
not so much covet the ability of others, as show 
dihgence in the application of your own. 

It may with equal ease be said by others. My 
station is obscure, and my influence small. 
Granted : but you will also admit, on the other 
hand, that, however narrow your circle may be> 
it is nevertheless a circle of some dimensions 
that you occupy. You do not stand alone upon 
the earth. You have some relatives, acquaintance, 
and neighbors. And are they all pious ? If you 
were to try earnestly, could you not reach any 
who are living without God? Behold, then, 
your duty. Labor for the conversion of these un- 
happy persons ; and wrap yourself no longer in 



59 



the delusion, that in this direction Christ can re- 
quire and expect nothin g/rom you. 

It rnay with truth 1)e alleged by a third class that 
they are excessively busy, and are thrown into situ- 
ations in life which demand all their time and all 
their power ; they surely may leave the work of 
converting sinners to more leisure hands. Yes ; if 
you are willing to abandon your hope of salvation, 
and to give up your interest in Christ : but not else. 
If you are his disciples, you are also the salt of 
the earth ; and not the busiest man in the world 
is at liberty to relinquish one part of the charac- 
ter, and to imagine that he can retain the other. 
But the allegation supposed is, in all probability, 
truth exaggerated into the character of fiilsehood. 
You either have^ or might have, some leisure in 
the early morning ^ and you allot the evening 
hours to the agreeable relaxation of domestic or 
social intercourse. Does a feeling of surprise, to 
say no more, start up in your bosom at the men- 
tion of these things? You are upon the verge 
then of discovering that it is not time you want, 
but inclination ? Be assured that this is the 
fact; and that, however closely engaged, you 
ought to find, and may find, if you are disposed, 
means of specific exertion for the salvation both 
of your domestic inmates, your acquaintance, and 
your neighbors ; while a similar aim may run 
through even the busiest of those busy hours. 



60 



which, so far from becoming a plea' for your to- 
tal exemption from labor, ought to be regarded as 
furnishing you with incessant opportunities of 
promoting this blessed end. 

The duty of laboring directly and individually 
for the conversion of sinners is, in a word, one 
from which none of the followers of Christ can 
be excused. He knows the varied talents, and 
circumstances of all; and comprehends them all 
in the declaration, " Ye are the salt of the earth." 

Further, If endeavors to convert ungodly men 
should be recognized as a duty by every disciple 
of Christ, it should also bo esteemed a duty of 
the highest moment. Of our many duties, none 
are without importance ; but in this respect all are 
not equaL Our first duties are those which re- 
late to our own salvation ; and the next are those 
which relate to the salvation of others. By the im- 
mense magnitude of the object, and its direct ref- 
erence to the glory of God and the highest happi- 
ness of our fellow creatures, these take the decided 
precedence of all duties respecting the temporal 
interest, either of ourselves or of others. I am ve- 
ry well aware how often the callings of life will 
allow but a comparatively small portion of time 
to be applied to it ; but the same may be said of 
the cultivation of personal piety, which is never- 
theless our first duty. What we mean by this is, 
that the attainment of this end should hold the 
liighest place inour desires ; that it should be our 



61 



chief aim ; and that all other affairs should be so 
arranged as to afford us the amplest possible op- 
portunities of pursuing it. So when we say that 
endeavors for the conversion of sinners form the 
second class of our duties, we mean that, next to 
our own salvation, we shoidd feel more concern- 
ed about this than any other object ; that it should 
be actual!}^ second among the great aims of life ; 
and that our affairs should be so ordered as to al- 
low us the utmost practicable opportunity of pro- 
moting it. We mean that when a christian asks 
hiuiself, For what great ends do I hve ? he should 
be able to say, First for the good of my own soul j 
next for the conversion of others ; and only after 
this, for the diligent prosecution of my worldly 
calling, and efforts of temporal benevolence. 

No duty, rightly understood, clashes with anoth- 
er. And as it happens with our first duty, that 
of securing our own salvation, so it is with our 
second, that of seeking the salvation of others, 
that an attention to it requires no interference 
with a due regard to earthly affairs. While we 
are diligent in bushiess, asj on the one hand, w^e 
may be also fervent in spirit, serving the Lord ; 
so, on the other, we may be animated by a deep 
concern for the spiritual welfare of those around 
us, and be ready to embrace every opportunity 
of advancing it, as a matter far more important 
than any secular advantage. And nothing short 
6 



62 



of thi&is the state of feeling and of action to which 
our Lord calls us, when he says, " Ye are the salt 
of the earth*" 

3. In the third place, the declaration of our 
blessed Redeemer may be considered as an exhi- 
bition of his CONDESCENDING GRACE. The con- 
version of the world is an operation for which he 
has ample resources, without employing our aid. 
It might be accomplished by his immediate pow- 
er alone, without the intervention of any instru- 
mentality; or if any intermediate agency were 
accepted, it could be a matter of no necessity to 
engage our own. It is in truth a display of won- 
derful condescension, that he should choose to em- 
ploy instruments so feeble and unworthy ; to as- 
sociate with himself in a work so glorious, crea- 
tures so mean and insignificant ; and to employ 
for the conversion of his remaining enemies 
those who, but a little before, were enemies and 
rebels themselves. 

Among the reasons which have induced him 
to do so, we are authorized to assign a powerful 
influence to his kindness towards his people. It 
w^as not surely that he would lay on them a bur- 
den, or encompass them with difficulties; but 
rather that he wished to enlarge their happiness. 
He had a work to perform, the execution of 
which afforded the most exquisite bliss, and the 
most exalted honor. He was about, not to pro- 



63 



duce a world, but to restore one which sin had 
destroyed ; to biing out of moral chaos a new 
creation of righteousness and joy, in glory far 
exceeding the wonders and beauties of the first ; 
to open the blind eyes, that the light of the 
knowledge of his glory might shine into them, 
in the face of Jesus Christ ; to break the stony 
heart, that he might pour into it the balm of his 
love ; to quicken dead souls, that, like his bless- 
ed ones in heaven, they might live unto God ; to 
bring floods of penitence from the flinty rock, 
that he might pronounce the forgiveness of sins; 
to purify the corrupt mind, that he might adorn 
it with celestial graces, and himself dwell there- 
in forever ; to open the bosom which had been 
barred against him, that he might shed abroad 
consolations in a world of sorrows, and inspire 
the peace which passeth all understanding ; to 
allure the wretched and ready to perish to a 
feast of eternal gladness ; and to stretch out his 
mighty arm to snatch the lost from perdition, as 
brands out of the fire. And being about to do 
this, he seems to have been unwilling to confine 
to himself either the honor or the joy. It is as 
though he had looked for some whom he loved 
well enough to make them partakers of his bless- 
edness; and he has conferred -the privilege 
upon his saints. "Ye," says he, "shall be the 
salt of the earth, the light of the world. The 



64 



knowledge of my truth shall be spread by your 
instructions, and the flame of piety kindled from 
your hearts. The perishing wretches who re- 
ceive the forgiveness of sins, shall trace the un- 
speakable benefit to a fellow creature's hand. 
The obdurate whose heart melts under the in- 
fluence of my love, shall remember that he 
heard of it from a brother's or a parent's lips. 
Thus my disciples shall have the luxury of con- 
veying the richest boon that almighty grace can 
give ; of making the avenues of earthly affection 
ways of access for everlasting joy ; and of be- 
coming, amidst all their poverty, the highest 
benefactors of their kind. These who are shar- 
d's of my heart, shall also be sharers of my joy ; 
and I will put upon them a portion of the hon- 
or with which I myself shall be clothed, as the 
Saviour of the world." 

Say, beloved brethren, whether condescend- 
ing love could have presented to us a greater 
privilege. We know the luxury of doing good 
in the communication of temporal benefits; how 
much more in conveying those which are eter- 
nal! It is no ordinary pleasure to feed the 
hungry, to clothe the ' naked, to relieve the 
wi-etched, to comfort the mourner; but how 
much more delightful must it be, to be the in- 
struments of enlightening the ignorant, of hum- 
bhng the proud, of subduing the obdurate, of re 



65 



claiming the profligate, of saving a soul from 
death, and hiding a multitude of sins? What 
benefits can we convey, w^hat sorrows can we 
alleviate, what consolations can we impart, 
once to be compared with those which respect 
an eternal world ? 

And if this consideration is not destitute of 
power in its general bearing, how touching does 
it become when applied to the smaller circles of 
life I If it w^ould afford me joy to convert a 
stranger, how much more a friend ! If it were 
delightful to induce piety in a neighbor, how 
much more in a child ! In these narrow spheres 
our warmest affections flow forth. It is among 
the chief pleasures of our hves to become ample 
benefactors to them in all that relates to this 
world ; and O I what joy unspeakable, to be per* 
mitted to convey to them the all-important bless- 
ings of the next! 

Nor is the honor small which God thus puts 
upon us. We should deem ourselves honored, 
if he were to make us the instruments of saving 
a fellow creature from death : how much more 
if he will employ us in rescuing one from ever- 
lasting burnings ! To do good is one of the 
loveliest characteristics of God himself, and to 
be the essential fountain of good is one of his 
chief prerogatives. He allows us a measure of 
his own felicity and glory, when he permits us 
6* 



66 



to convey any benefit ; but he does so pre-emi- 
nently when he confides to us the transfer of 
spiritual blessings. In this chief of his works 
such an arrangement associates us with himself, 
and presents us to the eyes of all as workers to- 
gether with God. 

And as it makes us a link in the chain of se- 
cond causes through which God transmits the 
efficacious influence which brings all his designs 
to pass, so it equally includes us in the train 
through which the gratitude of those by whom 
blessings are received will return to him. As all 
benefits come ultimately from him, so to him, 
undoubtedly, will be all the glory and praise ; yet 
the gratitude inspired will breathe most fragrantly, 
as it ascends, upon those who became the instru- 
ments of his goodness. It is thus that efforts of 
temporal benevolence bring upon our heads the 
blessings of those who are ready to perish, and 
often fill the heart with a mingled sense of luxu- 
ry and unworthiness almost overwhelming; but 
how inexpressibly touching will their accents be, 
who, amidst heartfelt benedictions, shall say, 
" You, like the Saviour, came to seek and to save 
the lost ; you taught us to know our sinfulness 
and our misery ; you prayed over us wken we 
would not pray for ourselves, and led us by your 
importunities to his feet, who hath delivered us 
from the wrath to come ! " 



67 



II. Such then is the relation which the disci- 
ples of Christ sustain to the world. Let us pro- 
ceed, in the second place, to the representation 
which the text contains of the importance of 
maintaining the character assigned to us, " Ye 
are the salt of the earth : but if the salt have 

LOST His SAVOUR, WHEREWITH SHALL IT BE 
SALTED? It is thenceforth good for NO- 
THING, BUT TO BE CAST OUT, AND TRODDEN UN- 
DER FOOT OF MEN." 

1. Here it is necessary for us to inquire, what 
is to be understood hj^ the salt having lost his sa- 
vour, or saitness. This must be conceived to take 
place, when the character and conduct of a pro- 
fessed disciple of Christ are not adapted to pro- 
mote the conversion of sinners. 

Such a state may arise in two ways. Upon the 
supposition that a professor does exert himself 
for this end, his conduct may be so inconsistent, 
as not merely to fail of adding to the effect of his 
words, but to diminish, and even to destroy it. 
Such would be the case, for example, if he were 
subject to occasional intemperance, or given to 
an indulgence of appetite ; if he were known to 
deal frauduently, or to take unfair and ungener- 
ous advantages ; if he were a man of unbridled 
passion, or ill-regulated temper; if he were of a 
wanton tongue, or a heedless retailer of scandal ; 
if he were a man of covetousness, or grinding to 



68 



the poor ; if he were engrossed in worldly pur- 
suits, or in schemes of aggrandizement : if he 
were characterized by a prevailing spirit of levi- 
ty ; or if, in short, his conduct were in any ob- 
vious degree otherwise than exemplary. In such 
a case the salt would have lost his savour. Such 
a person's conduct would have no tendency to 
convince an observer of the importance or ex- 
cellency of religion, but the contrary. Even if 
he were to speak on the subject, with whatever 
vehemence, he w^ould scarcely fail to induce the 
reply, " If religion should not do more for me 
than it has done for you, it wili do me little 
good." 

But, in addition to consistency, there is a stu- 
died and intentional exemplariness, which is ne- 
cessary to the full savouriness of a christian. It 
is not only that our example should exercise a 
right influence when it exercises any at all, or 
that it should be left to produce what effect it 
may in a consistent walk ; but that it should be 
studiously and constantly framed with a view to 
its influence. This is the express direction of 
our Lord in immediate connexion with the text : 
" Let your light so shine before men, that they 
may see your good works, and glorify your Fa- 
ther whicli is in heaven." ^ Such expressions of 

* Matt. V. 16. 



69 



christian temper and character, thercfere, as are 
adapted to be useful to others, should be con- 
spicuous in our conduct as observed by them, 
and be rendered so for the purpose of doing 
them good. Our aim should be, notwithstanding 
the occasional depression arising from the trials 
of life, by an habitual cheerfulness to show reli- 
gion to be, what it really is to us, a source of the 
highest happiness ; to do everything so well, so 
mamfestly upon right principles and for a right 
end, as to evince the perpetual operation of 
piety ; and to avoid everything, even at the ex- 
pense of personal sacrifices, by which our con- 
duct might be rendered liable to misconstruc- 
tion, and rendered less striking in its aspect, or 
less beneficial in its influence. I know that 
such a method requires as much of deliberate 
purpose and effort as specific conversation ; but 
it is certain that professors who fail to use their 
example with this holy wisdom are as salt 
which has lost its savour. 

A similar state is indicated by defectiveness in 
the direct and individual effort which we have 
already described. The savouriness of salt is its 
readiness to impart its flavor to the substance to 
which it is applied ; and, in like manner, the sa- 
vouriness of a christian is the readiness which he 
manifests to diffuse the sentiments which animate 
him : a religious professor, therefore, has lost his 



70 



savour, if, under whatever circumstances, he is 
content to live without actually trying to convert 
some person; and, in truth, if he does not endea- 
vor to convert every ungodly pei-son to Avhom 
he can consistently gain access. It will not serve 
to free us from this charge that we contribute to 
a regular ministry, and that we aid missions to 
the heathen abroad, ar the ignorant at home. 
We are, or should be, the salt of the earth. Our 
duty is that of personal exertion, in all the ave- 
nues that are open to us. 

The text leads us next to speak of the evil of 
such a state ; but before w^e do so, let us j)ause, 
for the purpose of a close and serious examina- 
tion of ourselves upon this point. How far have 
any of us lost our savour'^ The question may 
perhaps be painful at its first aspect ; it may bring 
an immediate conviction that we are guilty. But 
let us not, therefore, evade it, nor be content with 
a general acknowledgment of our fault. As it is 
important that our criminality should not be whol- 
ly concealed from us, it is scarcely less so that 
our perception of it should be accurate and com- 
prehensive. Let us be w^illing to know^ our whole 
error. How otherwise can we expect to be ade- 
quately humbled, or to attain an effectual remedy ? 
A desire to hide such an evil, if it could be sup- 
posed to exist in any bosom, would indicate a 
state of mind inexpressibly lamentable. What- 



71 



lever our faults are, may God give us an openness 
of heart to welcome investigation and rebuke, and 
to implore the quickening influences of his grace ! 

Our general inquiry is, v^h ether, as professed 
disciples of Christ, we are duly exerting ourselves 
for the conversion of sinners. Let me carry it 
into particulars, and suppose that you, dear hearer, 
are a husband or a wife, with a partner who 
knows not the Lord ; and let me ask you, not on- 
ly whether this is a grief to you, nor only wheth- 
er it awakens you to prayer ; but whether you are 
doiiig any thing to induce conversion. What 
means, and with how much diligence, have you 
employed to convey instruction ? When, and 
how often, has the tenderness of conjugal love 
thrown its softening influence into an expostula- 
tion with a heart obdurate in sin? With how 
much frequency has your affection been shown 
to dwell intensely on the spiritual and eternal 
welfare of so dear a friend ? With what constan- 
cy of endeavor have you so regulated your tem- 
per, and every department of your conduct, that 
it might add the stamp of truth and the power of 
eloquence to what your lips have uttered ? 

Or let me suppose you are parents, with chil- 
dren as yet unconverted ; and then I ask, not 
merely what you have/eZ^ for their salvation, but 
what you have done for it ? What efforts have 
you made to acquaint them with their duty to 



72 



God, and to inspire them with love to Christ ? 
With what diligence have you plied the task of 
imbuing their minds with seriousness, and re- 
pressing youthful vanity? With what ardor 
have you striven to make them feel that your 
most intense anxiety respects their salvation, and 
that, if this be not attained, it will be an unutter- 
able affliction to you that they have everhved? 
How sedulously has the fondness of parental ca- 
resses been directed to lead them to the Saviour ? 
How studiously have you exemplified before 
their eyes the importance you attach to prayer 
and the fear of God, and their influence upon 
the temper and the tongue ? 

Let me suppose that you are a master, or a mis- 
tressj having servants not religious in your 
house. I ask, then, Have you done anything 
for their conversion ? Have jo\i ever inquired 
into the state of their minds, or endeavored to 
ascertain the degree of their knowledge ? Have 
you used means to impress them with a deep 
seinse of the value of their souls, and em- 
ployed the influence, of your station to induce 
them to listen to the things that belong to their 
peace? Have you enjoined and promoted 
their attendance at the house of God, and in- 
quired into their profiting by it ? Have you pro- 
vided for and encouraged the reading of the 
scriptures and other instructive books? Have 



73 



you allowed time for retirement, and urged it« 
improvement for reflection and prayer ? Have 
you required their presence at your family wor* 
ship, and made it an instructive and impres- 
sive exercise? Has your just authority been 
used to prohibit vice, and discountenance 
levity? And have you charged them, not as 
servants only, but as children, with an affection* 
ate kindness to which your character will give 
the greater weight, that they serve and fear the 
Lord? 

Let me suppose that, in addition to domestics, 
you have to do with others ; with some, perhaps, 
in the femily, as apprentices, or with others, as 
laborers, or persons employed by you in business* 
I ask in this case, whether you have attempted 
their conversion? What endeavor have you 
made to convince them of the sin and folly of 
an ungodly life ? When did you urge them to 
a right employment of the sabbath? What 
touching proof have you given them that their 
souls are precious to you, or what have you done 
to render them precious to themselves ? 

Or, I may suppose you to be a younger mem- 
ber of a family ; a brother, or a sister* Perhaj>s 
not any, or if some, not all your brothers and 
sisters know the Lord ; or^ you may have the 
grief of beholding one or both of your parents in 
ignorance of him. I ask you then. What means 
7 



74 



you have used for the conversion of any of 
these ? Have you spoken kindly to a brother, or 
a sister, about the welfare of the soul? Have 
you read to them, or prayed with them ? What 
ingenuity have you employed to bring under a 
parent's notice a subject so interesting to your 
heart ? What effort have you made, at once to 
avoid a censorious 6r dictatorial conduct, and yet 
to show an exemplary and instructive one? 
What have you done to make them feel that it is 
the great end of your life to lead them to the 
Saviour? 

Perhaps you hold an inferior, and yet an hon- 
orable situation in the domestic sphere. You 
may be a domestic, either alone, or associated 
with others. Perhaps the family are strangers 
to God : and what tendency have any of your 
efforts had to their conversion ? Has the pow- 
er of example, which may perhaps be your chief 
instrument there, been carefully employed by 
you ? Have you been so far heedless, so often 
out of temper, or so quick in answering again, 
as to cause it to be felt that it is a disagreeable 
thing to have pious help in the house ? Or, 
have you tried, by showing in your charac- 
ter what religion can do, to make even those un- 
derstand its excellency to whom you cannot 
with propriety speak on such a subject ? Op- 
portunities of speakhig on it, however, must 



75 



often arise: have you improved them? Have 
you, in a word, labored for their conversion 
more than for anything else in the world, yoUr 
own salvation excepted ? Or, perhaps your 
companions are ignorant of Christ: what has 
been your conduct towards them ? Have you 
fallen in with their levity, so as to encourage 
them in it ? Or, have you tried to wean them 
from it by the cheerfulness of piety ? What 
savor of seriousness has pei-vaded your conver- 
sation? With what fervor and affection have 
you endeavored to save them ? 

I may suppose that you occupy a place in a 
large circle of relations ; that you belong to a 
family widely dispersed, yet in its various 
branches occasionally meeting; but not, alas! 
all united in everlasting bonds. What have you 
done to bring these fragments into the blessed 
union? Have your letters been impregnated 
with a savor of piety ? Have your occasional 
interviews been seasons of solemn endeavor to 
engage their hearts for Christ? Have you 
sought opportunities, or have you embraced 
such as arose unsought, for alluring their souls 
to eternal life ? 

I may suppose, finally, that you have a more 
extended connexion with society, and with the 
world. You have a circle of friends, a wider 
circle of acquaintance, and a circle still wider of 



76 



general intercourse. What have you done for 
the conversion of any of them? Which of 
your neighbors has heard the gospel from you ? 
When has the confidential intereoui^se of friend- 
ship turned solemnly on your friends' best inter- 
ests ? With what resolution and ingenuity has 
^he course of general conversation been directed 
to spiritual improvement? 

These inquiries are not many, but few; and 
merely a specimen of those which we should 
address to ourselves, according to the peculiari- 
ties of our condition. I may perhaps have ad- 
dressed them to some professors of religion who 
can give none of them a satisfactory answer ; 
who really never think of tiying to convert any 
one. You imagine that you feel for the conver- 
sion of sinners, you concur outwardly in praying 
for them, you support the ministry of the gospel 
and missions to the heathen ; but this is all. 
The ungodly are, without exception, abandoned 
by you to the efforts of others. Neither husband 
nor wife, neither child nor grand-child, neither 
friend nor neighbor, do you endeavor to instruct 
^r to save. O salt of the earth ! if it be thus 
with you, you have lost your savor. 

Doubtless many of you are not subject to so 
severe a censure. There are some for whose 
salvation you are laboring. But is this number 
ss comprehensive as it ought to be ? You seek 



77 



the conversion of your children, but perhaps not 
that of your domestics ; of your domestics, but 
perhaps not of your laborers ; of your relatives at 
home, but perhaps not of your relatives abroad ; 
of your family, but perhaps not of your friends ; 
of your friends, but perhaps not of your neigh- 
bors. You try to convert a brother or a sister, 
but perhaps not a parent ; a fellow servant, but 
not a master or a mistress ; an equal, but not a su- 
perior. Yet, why should it be so? In all these 
directions you are both fitted and intended to 
exert the characteristic influence of piety. O 
salt of the earth ! if it be thus with you, in a 
great degree you have lost your savor. 

It is yet further to be examined, whether, if 
your efforts are directed to all the proper objects 
of them, they are employed with a due fervency. 
Of the opportunities which present themselves, 
you improve some ; how many do you neglect ? 
Would not many more occur to you, if you were 
closely on the watch for them ? Might not 
more good be generally done, if you were prompt 
in beginning your work and diligent in pursuing 
it? Might not more seriousness and affection 
be thrown into your efforts ? Are your endea- 
vors of this kind anything like the great business 
of hfe ? Or does it seem with you rather like a 
subordinate concern ; a useful thing, if you have 
time and inclination for it ; something which 
7^ 



78 



^ay fill up the crevices of the day, if the world 
leaves any empty ; and occupy just the fragments 
of time and the remnants of exhausted strength, 
while life's great end is business or labor, plea- 
sure or ambition ? O salt of the earth ! if it be 
thus with you, to an extent much to be deplored 
you have lost your savor. 

I knov/ not that any Christian can hold him- 
self clear from this charge. In truth he that 
feels most and does most for the salvation of 
men, is the likeliest to acknowledge that he both 
does and feels much less than he ought. Was 
the warmest zeal which ever glowed in the 
heart of man adequate to the claims of an 
object which has engaged the whole ardor 
of the Almighty ? And what can he feel whose 
whole soul is devoted to it, but that even such a 
consecration is far below the glory of the end ? 

What would our feelings be if we were on our 
death bed, just entering into a dread eternity ? 
What, if we were standing at the judgment seat 
of Christ? What, above all, if we were actually 
beholding the dismay of the guilty there, and the 
awful terrors amidst which the wicked will be 
.driven into hell, even all those who forget God ? 
Ah ! would not our emotions at such a sight be of 
;an 4Dverwhelming power, and smite us with as- 
tonishment and shame that they should ever have 
been so slender ? Yet we should see nothing 



79 



then but the truth, and feel nothing but what the 
truth demands. And if our hearts were more 
deeply moved, our exertions would be proportion- 
ately augmented. What eager vigilance would 
be employed to watch for occasions of useful- 
ness ; nay, what holy ingenuity in creating them ! 
what precious portions of time would be rescued 
from trifles ; or what golden hours obtained by a 
wise arrangement of our affairs! How gladly 
would the period of sleep be curtailed in the morn- 
ing, and that of relaxation in the evening hours 1 
What a vein of piety would run through the mass 
of our ordinary intercourse, adapted to enrich even 
& passing stranger with inestimable treasure ! O 
salt of the earth ! if it be not thus with us, in an 
afflictive measure we have all lost our savor. 

2. With a conviction, then, of our personal 
«hare in the state described, let us go on to 
consider the representation here given of its evil. 
" If the salt have lost Ms savor, vjhereivith shall 
it be salted ? It is thenceforth good for nothing, 
but to be cast out, and trodden under foot ofmen.^^ 

1. We are thus led to observe, in the first place, 
that, when the disciples of Christ are not in vig- 
orous action for the salvation of sinners, it frus- 
trates an important part of the design of their 
conversion. 

The chief end of God in conversion is the glo- 
ry of his holy name, through Jesus Christ: but 



80 



there are also to be answered subordinate ends, 
in the attainment of which, in truth, the accom- 
plishment of the primary object Is involved. The 
first of these is the eternal blessedness of the sin- 
ner himself; the next is his utihty as an instru- 
ment of converting others. Redeemed sinners 
are the very agents, and the only agents,,which 
the Almighty forms for the conversion of the 
world. He lights the candle that it may shed 
light around. He has seasoned us with grace 
that we may season the earth. Let it be set down 
by us, therefore, as a certain and weighty truth, 
that our usefulness in the salvation of others was 
the second, and but the second great end he con- 
templated in our own. It is one of the grand 
methods by which he has designed us to show- 
forth his praise. 

Now nothing can be more binding, and noth- 
ing ought to be more delightful, than to fall in with 
God's designs respecting us, and to fulfil the good 
pleasure of his wdll. The force of all the mercy, 
the rich and unspeakable mercy, which he has 
shown us, leads us in this direction ; according to 
the language of the apostle, " I beseech you, breth- 
ren, by the mercies of God, that ye yield your- 
selves a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, 
which is your reasonable service." ^ " For ye 
are not your own ; for ye are bought with a price : 

* Rom. xii. 1. 



81 



wherefore, glorify God with your bodies and your 
spirits, which are God's." * In agreement with 
this exhortation are the aspirations of every re- 
newed heart; with Saul ready to ask, "Lord, 
what wih thou have me to do ;" f and with him 
ready to reply, " The love of Christ constraineth 
rae ; because I thus judge, that if one died for all, 
then were all dead ; and that he died for all, that 
those who live should henceforth not live unto 
themselves, but unto him that died for them, and 
rose again." { And such have been the vows, if 
they have been anything better than hypocri- 
sy, which we have often presented to our adora- 
ble Redeemer at his throne, and at his table. 

Can we then bear to think that there is any 
part of his will concerning us which we do not 
fulfil ; that in any line of activity he has marked 
out for us, we are sluggish and ineffective ? Is 
this our fidelity to the vows we have so frequent- 
ly implored him to accept? Is this our evidence 
of grace ? Is this our kindness to our friend, and 
the return we are content to make him for his 
love ? Forbid it, all that is influential in grati- 
tude, or faithful in friendship, or sincere in piety ! 

But if there be force in such a reflection in re- 
ference to any part of God's will, how much more 
when it applies to a particular of preeminent 

* 1 Cor. vi. 20. t Acts ix. 6. J 2 Cor. v. 14, 15. 



82 



magnitude ! Our activity for the conversion of 
others is no trivial thing with him. Next to our 
own salvation, it is the chief end for which he 
has called us by his grace ; and it is the grand use 
to which he has intended to put us in the world. 
It is an object of the utmost importance in his 
view, and of the highest glory to his name; an 
object on which he has concentrated all the coun- 
sels of eternity, on which he has expended the 
amplest resources of his nature, for which he 
has poured forth the blood of his Son, and to 
which he is bending the whole administration of 
his providence. And is it to his purpose in such a 
point as this that we can be indifferent ? Is it here 
that we fail to sympathize with him, or are slow 
in coming forth to his help ? Is it to the losing 
of our savor that we can by any possibility be 
reconciled, and to an entire anaptness for the 
intended and blessed process of seasoning with 
grace a corrupted world ? Alas ! if it be so, our 
hearts are not right with God ; and whatever 
portion of such a spirit there may be in us, it 
ought to be matter of deep humiliation before 
him. 

*i. A state of inactivity in reference to the con- 
version of sinners greatly diminishes the value of 
religious profession, and of religion itself as ex- 
hibited among men. It has always been the 
boast and glory of religion, that it has a tendency 



8: 



to spread itself abroad. Hence our blessed Lord 
compared it to a grain of mustard seed, which, 
though the least of all seeds, became a tree ; and 
to leaven, which, though a little of it were hid 
in three measures of meal, would extend its in- 
fluence till the whole was leavened. The same 
idea is conveyed when he describes his disciples 
as light, and as salt ; since both these substances 
are remarkably characterized by a diffusive quali- 
ty. So eminently has religion borne this charac- 
ter, that it could never have been considered as 
exaggeration to say, Convert but one man, and 
you make provision for the conversion of the 
world. Upon this principle God himself has act* 
ed. The conversion of the world is an object 
which he actually contemplates ; but what has he 
done for it ? He has converted some men, and left 
them to be the conversion of others. When this 
work was to make the most rapid and triumphant 
progress, namely, after the resurrection of our 
Lord, the body of converts who were, like the 
little leaven, to begin it, was extremely small, the 
number of the names together being but a hun- 
dred and twenty; yet such was his reliance up- 
on the diffusive power of religion, that he did not 
scruple to leave it in their hands. To the same 
instrumentality he continues to look. Lamenta- 
bly small as the effect has often been, he still con- 
fides in the principle. Of his disciples he has all 



84 



along said, and he still says, " Ye are the salt of 
the earth ; " and from their exertion, if from any 
quarter, are we still to anticipate the final tri* 
umphs of the gospel. 

This, I have said, is the boast and glory of 
religion, that it is endowed with a vital power^ 
and is adapted to diffuse itself even through a 
world as corrupt and hostile as this. But, alas I 
how much is this glory concealed, and this boast 
invalidated, when professors are slothful ! If a 
man's religion were what it ought to be, there 
would not long be one convert in a place, with- 
out his being the means of converting others; 
but now, in how many places may we see not 
only one, but several Christians, with no increase 
of their number, with no change in the general 
character of their neighborhood, but rather with 
a dwindling of the light which has been kindled 
in them, and an approach to final extinction. 
Judging fi'om the nature of rehgion, one would 
affirm, that if we could place twenty pious peo* 
pie in a town of moderate size. We should make 
an ample provision for its illumination ; yet how 
often may we see that, in places where there is 
a much larger number, the cause of Christ seems 
stationary, if not declining. Might we not be 
certain that one conversion in a family would lead 
to more ? Yet in how many instances, where sev- 
eral members of a household are pious, how lit- 
tle of its effect is felt by the remainder ! Ah, re- 



85 



ligion ! is this thy boasted efficacy ? Are these 
the records of thy glory ? Is this the heaven- 
ly remedy, the power of which was to ex- 
ceed the virulence of the plague of sin, and to 
follow it in its universal desolation ? What must 
the quality of that piety be, of wliich there can 
be so much in this kingdom, in this town, and in 
our family circles, with so small an influence ? 

Beloved brethren, if we have any anxiety to 
free religion from so unjust and unmerited a re- 
proach, if we have any concern even about the 
sincerity of our own profession, let us be awake 
to these things. If religion really were not diffu- 
sive, it would deserve much less respect from 
men, and would be held in far lower estimation 
by God, than it has hitherto enjoyed on the one 
hand, and claimed on the other. Salt which has 
lost its savor is thenceforth good for nothing, hut 
to be cast out, and trodden underfoot of men : and 
religious professors who do not strive to convert 
the ungodly, are worth lamentably little now, and 
run a fearful hazard of final rejection. 

3. Negligence of the salvation of others is an 
unaccountable abandonment of our privilege.^ 
The honor and the delight associated with sa- 
ving a soul from death, surely make a very in- 
telligible and powerful appeal to the heart ; and 
it might well have been supposed that, in pur- 
suit of such an object, and in the communication 
8 



86 



of such benefits, we should have gone forth with 
joyful zeal. Were any one to authorize us to 
enter into a scene of distress, where, for exam- 
ple, the hungry and the naked, the oppressed 
and the captive, the sick and the dying, were to 
be found, to announce a relief for every want, 
and to carry comfort to every mourner, should 
we not rejoice to execute the commission? 
And yet, when God makes us his almoners, and 
instrumental dispensers of his bounty, we are 
comparatively sluggish, if not almost unmoved! 
To which of the condemned sinners around 
us may we not proclaim a free forgiveness ? 
Which of the hungry poor may we not assure of 
a welcome to the gospel feast ? To which of 
the miserable may we not exhibit the Saviour's 
fulness of grace r Which of the perishing may 
we not hope to snatch as a brand out of the fire ? 
What, then, is the meaning of our slothfulness? 
Is it that such deeds as these yield us no joy ? 
that v/e count our privilege a task? that we 
reckon the labor more than the reward? O 
hearts destitute alike of ambition and of pity! 
We confess, then, that we disown the luxury of 
doing good, and desert the station of benefactors 
of our kind. It is an honor and a joy, in which, 
though they are worthy of the highest, we have 
no pleasure. Wishing to increase our felicity, 
he has caused them to overflow from liis 



87 



own bosom to ours; but we disrelish and 
repel them. And for what do we refuse 
them ? Are there any pleasures holier, or 
more exalted? None. Is it to be more 
active m relieving temporal wretchedness ? 
No. He that does most for men's souls, will al- 
ways do most for their bodies. It is merely to 
sink down into selfishness and uidolence ; to 
give ourselves to the world, in its vanities or its 
cares *^ and to lead a life which is far more weari- 
some as it passes, and will be totally fruitless 
when it is gone. 

Yet, no, Heavenly Father; we hope not. 
We have been too insensible to our privilege, 
but we trust we are not utterly callous to it. 
Arouse us to deeper feeling, and enable us to 
work with thee, with a heart like thine own ! 

4. Neghgence of the work of conversion per- 
petuates the miserable and sinful state of the 
world. " If the salt have lost its savor, where- 
with shall it be salted?" or, how shall it season 
that to which it is applied ? And if the disciples 
of Christ do not lay themselves out for the con- 
version of the world, how will it be achieved? 

If, in answer to this inquiry, it should be said 
that the purpose of God will stand, and that if 
he means to convert the world it will infal- 
libly be done, it would be a truth, but a 
truth perverted to the purpose of a falsehood. 



88 



For, as certainly as God has designed the con- 
version of the world, has he designed also that it 
shall be achieved by the instrumentality of his 
people; their agency, therefore, though truly 
subordinate, is not less necessary than the influ- 
ence of the Spirit itself. If the world cannot be 
converted without the one, so neither without 
the other ; just in the same manner that, while 
God has declared harvest shall not cease, there 
will be no harvest so long as the world stands, if 
the seed is not sown. As to neglect sowing the 
seed would destroy the possibility of the harvest, 
so to withhold christian exertion prevents the 
conversion of the world. In whatever sense it is 
God'§ work, his fixed arrangements are such that 
he not merely will not, he cannot perform it 
while his people are inactive. It is by then* 
hands the bible must be circulated ; it is by their 
lips the gospel must be preached. Their indo- 
lence restrains his action. And whenever the 
time may come that he shall arouse himself, and 
endure this sluggishness no longer, his first ef- 
fort towards the conversion of the world will be 
to smite the obdurate hearts of his saints to tears 
of penitence and tenderness, and to send them 
forth weeping, bearing at length the precious 
seed from whence the harvest of immortal joy 
shall arise. 

It may perhaps be conceived, that the instru- 



89 



mentality to be employed in the progress of re- 
ligion is to be chiefly that of ministers and mis- 
sionaries. Without having any wish to depreci- 
ate the office of the ministry, or to diminish its 
responsibility, I must be allowed to say, that I 
think the sentiment is carried much too far. In 
the means to be used for the universal prevalence 
of religion, there is much that ministers, with 
whatever zeal, cannot do — it must be done by 
private Christians, if done at all ; and there is 
much more which they can do far better than 
ministers. Besides, would Christ have fitted so 
many thousands and hundreds of thousands of 
persons for usefulness in saving sinners, without 
intending to bring them into action, and into a 
measure of action proportionate to their value? 
Does he mean that his wide triumphs should be 
won by the comparatively small number of his peo- 
ple technically known as ministers ? The idea is 
absurd ; and it is falsified by fact. Inquire where it 
is that the spread of rehgion partakes most largely 
of the character of apostolic or millennial days ; 
and you will have for answer, It is in the West In- 
dies, and the islands of the Pacific Ocean ; where 
indeed they have zealous ministers, but where, 
too, they have zealous converts. It is in the West 
Indies, where a single negro, in defiance of his 
master's wrath (no trifle in a land of slavery,) in- 
duces four hundred of his companions to hear 
8^ 



90 



the gospel, and has the pleasure of soon seeing 
forty of them join the church. It is in the isles 
of the Southern sea, where men are scarcely con- 
verted, before they take a boat to a distant isle, 
and live for nothing, but to save their brethren. 
This is the spirit we want at home : when shall 
it once be ? 

I confess myself to have a strong conviction, that 
this is the kind of exertion by which the universal 
prevalence of Christianity will be achieved ; that 
the present stagnation is to be ascribed to the ab- 
sence of it ; and that the final triumphs wait on- 
ly for its developement. Let the church be con- 
verted, and the world will soon be so too. Some- 
thing, it is true, I admit even that much has been 
done, and is doing for the maintenance and ex- 
tension of an ofiicial ministry ; but, in compari- 
son with the number and capability of religious 
professors, very little is done in the way of per- 
sonal and individual endeavor. This is infinitely 
the most valuable of all the aids which can be ren- 
dered to the cause of Christ, and would do more 
good than all the wealth of the christian or the 
antichristian world; While this is withheld, there 
is little reason to hope for a blessing on pecuniary 
contributions, or even to expect that they will 
long continue to be supplied. The liberality of 
the present age is eminently the creature of ex- 
citement. In order to awaken it, and raise it to 



91 



its present pitch, recourse has been had to a sys- 
tem of stimulants, in some cases of a very equiv- 
ocal character, and in many wholly incapable of 
being perpetuated. Every such effort requires a 
more pungent excitement than the last ; and while 
the ingenuity required in the invention of them 
is already almost expended, the result of the sys- 
tem, when it ceases, must be ajproportionate lan- 
guor and exhaustion. No pecuniary aids can be 
permanent, but such as are derived with greater 
ease, but such as arise from the deep emotions of 
the heart in its intercourse with God, and from a 
combined sense of duty and of privilege. These 
springs it may be feared, afford but a small 
proportion of the existing liberality of the pub- 
lic ; nor can they be opened by any cause but 
one which will equally induce a habit of indivi- 
dual exertion. Let a man once feel it to be his 
duty and delight to make the great end of his 
life, next to his own salvation, the conversion of 
all around him, and he will then loiow, unbidden, 
what to do with his money, as well as with his 
influence and his time. 

The influence which the method of universal 
and individual exertion would have in feeding the 
oft exhausted and lamenting funds of public so- 
cieties, is among the least of its benefits. It 
would be an attitude of consistency and faithful- 
ness upon which the blessing of God might be 



92 



expected to rest ; it would multiply laborers be- 
yond example, and beyond computation ; it would 
place them in circumstances inexpressibly eligi- 
ble for easy and effectual action ; and it would 
cause the power of religion to penetrate the dense 
mass of society in every direction. It would cre- 
ate the most powerful operation, too, where it has 
the greatest prospect of success, and where suc- 
cess would be productive of the most beneficial 
results ; for its first achievement would be the 
conversion of ouncountry ; and there is no coun- 
try with equal capacity for accomplishing the 
conversion of the world. 

But great results cannot arise without the zeal- 
ous exertion we have enforced. If the salt have 
lost its savor, the mass cannot be seasoned ; and 
if the followers of Christ, who, collectively and 
individually, are the salt of the earth, do not la- 
bor for the conversion of the world, it will never 
be achieved. Let but the people of God be inac- 
tive, and mankind will still remain in the deprav- 
ed, the guilty, and the miserable condition which 
we profess to deplore, and for their deliverance 
from which we have presented ourselves at the 
throne of almighty mercy. 

What an affecting consideration is this ! It 
is not merely diat the ju'evalence of sin and mis- 
ery around us will be perpetuated, but that it will 
be perpetuated by ourselves. We are the destin- 



93 



ed instruments for its removal, and we become 
answerable for its continuance. Ask why, at this 
late period of the christian dispensation, the world 
still lies in wickedness : is it not because the fol- 
lowers of Christ have been indolent and unfaith- 
ful? Ask why, after so long a possession of 
evangelical privilege our favored country is 
in so large a measure benighted and irreligi- 
ous: is it not because Christians have been 
negligent and slothful ? Ask why a town, 
with a large leaven of piety far many yeai's, is cha- 
racterized by melancholy remnants of ungod- 
liness: is it not because the salt has lost its 
savor ? Or ask, finally, why our domestic and 
social circles are so ineSectually pervaded by the 
power of religion : is it not because we ourselves 
have been wanting in th« eflTorts required at our 
hands ? Alas, for us, who have so many sins of 
our own, that we should become chargeable with 
the sins of others ! Alas! that we, who profess 
to grieve aver the wickedness of the world, should 
become accessary to its continuance ! O to wash 
our hands of this dreadful stain ! at least to re- 
prove the works of darkness, and to shine as lights 
in such a world, holding forth the word of life, 
whether men will hear or whether they will for- 
bear, that their blood may not be required at our 
hands ! 



94 



Beloved brethren, I have not set these consid- 
erations before you for the mere purpose of excit- 
ing your feelings, but I have wished by them to 
lead you to the contemplation of a material change 
in the character of your lives; and I implore you 
to consider whether it exceeds your duty, or will 
be contrary to your happiness. Our attention has 
been pointedly called to the stationary aspect of 
religion at the present period, and we have uni- 
ted in solemn and fervent prayer for a revival : 
but what revival can we expect, if we do not la- 
bor as well as pray ? There is assuredly much 
room for enlargement in both ; and as we have 
begun with prayer, let us follow it up with prac- 
tice. Let it be fixed in your hearts, that it is for 
you, each and every one of you, young or old, rich 
or poor, wise or unwise, male or female, to try to 
convert whatever sinners you may consistently 
address, with all the vigor you would bestow up- 
on a chief end of life. You who are parents with 
your children, masters with your servants, trades- 
men with your workmen, relations with your re- 
lations, and all with your friends, companions, 
and neighbors, see that you try at all times to save 
these persons, with more earnestness than you 
show in conducting your worldly business, or in 
laboring for your daily bread. Nothing will make 
you so happy ; nothing short of it will fulfil your 



95 



duty ; nothing less will accelerate the triumphs 
of the gospel. 

I am not unacquainted with the impediments 
you will find in the attempt. That which is new 
always seems to be difficult. You may feel a 
degree of unaptness in your early efforts, under 
the influence of which you may imagine that you 
cannot proceed ; or you may perceive your en- 
deavors to fall so far short of what the object 
demands, that you may be almost constrained to 
relinquish them as unsuitable. But I can foretel 
what will embarrass and obstruct you much 
more. It is a cold and unfeehng heart. Cold 
and unfeeling, I mean, not in the abstract ; 
for, if you are a Christian, you do feel something 
for perishing sinners ; but in comparison with 
what you ought to feel. What moment will you 
find, even in your most sacred hours, and when 
your spirit is most solemnly impressed with eter- 
nal things, in which your pity for dying souls is 
adequate to their miserj^, and your resolution to 
labor for their rescue equal to their woes ? But 
how often will you feel far less warmly than this ! 
Even by the time you reach the family altar the 
fire in your bosom will glow more feebly, so that 
the tone of your instructions there will be too 
low ; and when you have been a few hours in the 
world, when the cares of business have begun to 
occupy you, or common pursuits to engage your 
attention, how little will you feel then for the ir- 



96 



J*eligious around you ! Should an opportunity of 
usefulnes then occur, how easily may it be over- 
looked, how negligently passed by ! Or how 
nearly may it become the sentiment of that mo- 
ment, " I must mind my business, and cannot at- 
tend to the salvation of souls ! " Ah ! brethren, 
believe me, this will be the grand obstacle to your 
activity and success. Apply the remedy, there- 
fore, to the root of the evil. Do not enter upon 
labor, nor even resolve upon it, till your hearts are 
deeply moved with pity and with love. Let your 
jSrst step be a visit, and an oft repeated visit, to 
the throne of grace, to implore the enlightening 
and melting influences of the Holy Spirit. La- 
bor first of all to have your heart duly affected 
with the evil of your own sins, the hateful cor- 
ruption of your own nature, and the awful per- 
ils from which your own soul has been redeem- 
ed. Endeavor next to realize the fact that ma- 
ny of your children, relatives, and friends, are in 
a similar condition ; and contemplate them in it, 
es though you actually saw them in the presence 
of God, or before his judgment seat, and sinking 
into endless perdition. Give him no rest until he 
makes your heart melt at the sight with the ten- 
derest pity ; till he makes you feel that it is your 
privilege and your obligation to save them, and 
that all the duties and pleasures of life vanish in 
comparison with the effort. Then you will be 



97 



fit to labor ; and then 1 may confidently predict 
that you i/Jt7Z labor O! you will make no ex- 
cuses then ; you will let slip no opportunities ; 
you will hesitate at no sacrifices. 

Such a state of mind, perhaps, is far above 
what you how feel, and in seeking a higher ele- 
vation you may find much discouragement, or 
you may seem to make only larger and more 
melancholy discoveries of the hardness of your 
heart. Yet do not despair. A habit is not ofi;en 
changed in a moment ; but it may be changed, 
and it will be changed by degrees. Think 
of the importance and excellency of such 
an alteration ; and wait upon the Lord for it 
with Jacob's importunity, when he said, " I will 
not let thee go except thou bless me." 

Having attained a measure of a tender spirit, 
before you commence your exertions, take a de 
liberate view of the field of your labor, and fa- 
miliarize yourself with the persons, circumstan- 
ces, and character of those whose welfare you 
are seeking. Assemble round you in imagina- 
tion your family group, husband or wife, chil- 
dren or domestics ; then your laborers, acquaint* 
ance, and neighbors. Endeavor to mark those 
in whom no signs of grace appear; and then 
concentrate upon them the general compassion 
you already feel for impenitent sinners. A soul 
ready to perish is an object touching to you in 
9 



08 



the abstract ; let it now be embodied in the per- 
sons of this group in thought before you. Say, 
This my husband, or this my wife, is a stranger 
to the Saviour, and in danger of eternal ruin ; 
this my child, these my children, are the children 
of wrath, and growing up as enemies to God ; 
these my servants are doing the service of sin, 
the wages of which is death ; these my friends 
and neighbors are in the gall of bitterness and 
the bonds of iniquity, and the wrath of God 
abideth on them. Dwell upon this fact, till it 
becomes in your eyes infinitely the most impor- 
tant feature in their condition, far outweighing 
all varieties of character, and circumstances of 
temporal good or evil; and then think how 
much you may do for their salvation. Think 
that every necessary means to convert them is 
in your hand; that you possess even a divine 
adaptation to effect it ; that God has redeemed 
you for the very purpose of making you instru- 
mental in converting others ; and that you can 
scarcely fail to labor with success. Next arrange 
your methods of operation. Think how each 
may be best approached, and adapt your efforts to 
the varied character and circumstances with de- 
liberation and design. Watch for opportunities, 
and embrace promptly all which occur to yoii. 
Labor for their souls, in a word, as though their 
salvation were, what it ought to be, superior to 



99 



all objects for which you live, next to the wel- 
fare of your own. 

Such being your spirit and your purpose when 
you enter upon the duties of the day, recall 
yourself often to the remembrance of it during 
its progress. Ask yourself at various moments, 
Am I now cherishing my highest aim ? and 
striving to be useful to those who are in my 
company ? Especially when an opponunity of 
usefulness appears, remember how important 
the improvement of it is ; that it affords you an 
answer to prayer, and that it enables you to ex- 
ert yourself for an object which an angel would 
rejoice to promote, and for which your Saviour 
died : and with these recollections lift up your 
heart to God, that he may quicken you for the 
effort, and crown it with success. 

Next to attaining a tenderness of spirit, no- 
thing is more important or more difficult than 
preserving it. How soon does it decline, even 
in circumstances most favorable to its continu- 
ance ; but amidst the concerns of the world it 
inevitably sinks. The vagrant heart must be 
kept in check by constant access to the throne of 
grace, and by close walking with God. The 
measure in which our concern for sinners has 
declined should be a subject of daily examina- 
tion, and its revival and increase a matter of im- 
portunate prayer. Most especially let us be con- 



100 



cerned and resolved to leave our closet no morn- 
ing, until our minds are deeply imbued with 
compassion for sinners, solemnly impressed with 
our responsibility for the state of those in imme- 
diate contact with ourselves, and fully devoted 
to their spiritual benefit as the highest object of 
the day. Such a course will not be maintained 
in vain. Religion never declines with us while 
we are truly unwilling it should do so. " They 
that wait upon the Lord shall renew their 
strength ; they shall mount on wings as eagles, 
they shall run and not be weary, they shall 
walk and not faint."* 

To this watchfulness over our spirit, it will be 
highly important to add a daily examination of 
our conduct, the true character of which will 
not be known to us without an attentive review. 
Let it be the serious business of our evening re- 
tirement, to inquire. Whom have I attempted to 
convert to-day ? When my eye was resting on 
my children or servants, my neighbors or friends, 
who know not God, did a sense of their guilt 
and misery move me? And to what did it 
move me ? Did I warn and reprove ; did I in- 
vite and allure them ? Did I speak of the Sa- 
viour, or commend his ways? Did I say or do 
anything to infuse into their minds a solemn re- 
gard to eternity ? Have I done this whenever I 

*Isa.xl.31. 



101 



ought to have done it this day ; towards every 
person ; on every occasion ; and with a due 
solemnity ? Ah, brethren, while a professor who 
never looks closely into his conduct may retain 
a persuasion that he is nearly or quite without 
blame on this head, it is impossible but such a 
scrutiny should convict every one of us of daily 
sin, and yield us cause for fresh humiliation, 
and stimulus to more devoted fidelity. 

O that the Lord may grant you, beloved bre- 
thren, a large measure of a tender spirit I O that 
your awakening energy may show itself in new 
and vigorous exertion ! Which of you intends to 
be the cold, the sluggish disciple ; the salt which 
has lost its savor? I will hope and believe 
that, with one heart and voice, you would an- 
swer, NONE. "Wherefore be ye steadfast and 
unmoveable, always abounding in the work of 
the Lord ; forasmuch as ye know that your labor 
is not in vain in the Lord." 

And now "let thy work appear unto thy ser- 
vants, O Lord, and thy glory unto their children. 
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be up- 
on us ; and establish thou the work of our hands 
upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish 
thou it !"^ 

I cannot close this discourse without address- 
ing myself for a moment to those who know not 

*Ps. xc. 16, 17. 

9* 



102 



God. Some who are now present do not 
profess to be disciples of Christ, or conceive 
yourselves to be so. You have heard me urging 
upon the pious friends around you the importance 
of attempting the conversion of sinners ; that is, 
of attempting your conversion. Perhaps the dis- 
course in this respect may have struck you with 
some surprise. ' You were not aware that we 
considered your salvation as of so much moment ; 
none of us have spoken to you concerning it in 
a manner adapted to convey to you such an idea* 
We justly bring this reproof upon ourselves. 
What can be more cutting than the rebuke you 
thus administer ? Forgive us this wrong ! But 
do not suffer our neglect to induce an opinion that 
your salvation is a trifle. O no ! it is of infinite 
moment. If our conduct has not conveyed this 
impression to you, yet derive it from the aston- 
ishing, and still only proportionate attention 
which has been paid to it by the Almighty. It 
engaged his eternal counsels ; nay, it induced the 
gift, and cost the blood of his Son. And, bless* 
ed be his name, it is a benefit which he is in- 
finitely willing to bestow. His mercy is without 
limitation, and without reluctance. His language 
is, " Come unto me, all ye that labor and are hea- 
vy laden, and I will give you rest.* Look unto 
me, and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth, f 

* Matt. xi. 28. t Isa. xlv. 22. 



103 

For him that cometh unto me I will in no wise 
cast out." ^ Can you turn a deaf ear to an invi- 
tation so delightful ? Or if the tones of a mor- 
tal voice may add to the eloquence of heaven, 
permit us to enforce this call with whatever of 
affectionate concern our cold hearts may feel ; 
and to implore you by the loathsomeness of your 
corruption, by the magnitude of your guilt, and 
by your peril of eternal ruin ; by the joys of heav- 
en, and by the pains of hell ; by the anguish of a 
dying and the entreaties of a living Saviour ; by 
the mercies of a long-suffering God, and the ter- 
rors of an avenging Judge; that you receive not 
the grace of God in vain. " Behold, now is the 
accepted time ; behold now is the day of salvation.f 
To day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your 
hearts. J But take with you words, and tuni un- 
to the Lord, and say unto him. Put away all ini- 
quity, receive us graciously, and love us free- 
ly." § Amen. 

*Johnvi.37. t2Cor.vi.2. J Heb. iv. 7. 

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